Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • News
Surveys
Health & Safety
Environmental Quality
Retail

Most shoppers remain nervous about high street Covid safety

Open-access content Wednesday 8th September 2021
Authors
Facilitate Team
web_shoppers-wearing-facemasks_credit_agsaz_shutterstock_1780299065.png

Shoppers would linger longer in Covid-secure stores, says Mitie survey – Agsaz-Shutterstock

Although restrictions have been lifted, almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of Britons are still worried about visiting shops and cafés where no Covid-19 measures are in place, reveals a survey from Mitie. 

More than half (53 per cent) of respondents to a survey of 5,000 British adults, undertaken by OnePoll in August, say they will only go into shops that have visible anti-Covid control.

Access to a regular flow of clean air is a high priority for more than half of adults (54 per cent), who declared they would be more comfortable spending time inside high street shops and cafés where there is increased air ventilation. And more than a quarter (28 per cent) would like to know that technology to reduce viruses from the air, such as UV light, to be installed.

In addition to clean air systems, over half (54 per cent of the sample wish to see a more rigorous cleaning regime in place and a similar number (52 per cent) want social distancing to continue in shops, and half (50 per cent) would want to see hand sanitiser available in all stores.

The survey also shows that consumers are not ready to give up face masks. Three in five (59 per cent) questioned plan to continue wearing masks when visiting stores and 45 per cent want shops to enforce a mask policy.

Other conditions that would offer peace of mind are better touch-point cleaning, which a third (36 per cent) want to see in shops and cafés, while a quarter (25 per cent) of the sample would like temperature checks on everyone using the building.

The survey indicates that investing in safety measures also makes sound business sense. Two-thirds (67 per cent) of respondents would look more favourably on a business that can show it is taking the virus seriously and is Covid-secure. And more than half (54 per cent) of them would choose to spend their money with businesses that can show they are maintaining Covid safety measures.

Such measures would entice a fifth of UK adults (22 per cent) to linger in a store. A compulsory mask policy, social distancing measures, more cleaning and visible air ventilation would all encourage shoppers to spend up to 30 minutes longer inside if they were installed.

Daniel Guest, chief operating officer at Mitie Technical Services, said: “By investing in measures like increased cleaning regimes and technology like UV light that can help kill viruses in the air, retail and hospitality businesses can keep their customers safe, prevent the spread of the virus, and give consumers the confidence to spend time on the high street.”

Mitie has advice on its website for businesses wishing to create a Covid-secure environment for customers.

Image credit | Agsaz-Shutterstock

Today’s top news stories

web_headhunting-and-recruiting_credit_Andrii-Yalanskyi_shutterstock_2120033537.png

ONS data shows that hiring activity is slowing

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals that hiring activity in the UK is beginning to slow, with vacancies decreasing for the first time since June to August 2020.
Reports
Surveys
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
web_Student-accomodation_credit_iStock-1034245534.png

Student digs providers ‘must work more closely with universities’ to create better community spaces

Analysis suggests that in a post-pandemic world where hybrid learning has become more widespread 47% of current students still want to be in student accommodation and living with their peers.
Reports
Surveys
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
puzzle

IWFM member consultation: "What do you want from us?"

IWFM is consulting members over its future membership offering
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
web_Mosley-street-looking-south_credit_ironbell_shutterstock_1582605160.png

Churchill expands deal with Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Soft FM provider Churchill Group has renewed its contract with the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) at its Manchester base, and has also extended services to its London office. 
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
web_©Avrenim_Simon-Harris.png

Avrenim appoints Simon Harris as CEO

Facilities management provider Avrenim has designated Simon Harris as its CEO to help further bolster the company’s position in the market.
People
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
web_©Julius-Rutherfoord_City-University1.png

Julius Rutherfoord renews cleaning deals worth £30m in education sector 

Independent cleaning company Julius Rutherfoord & Co has retained contracts worth £30 million at educational institutions across London, awarded over the past two months, and set to run for the next five years.  
Wednesday 17th August 2022
Open-access content
Filed in:
News
Also filed in:
Surveys
Health & Safety
Environmental Quality
Retail

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ