ATHERSTONE's biggest retailer has introduced a "front to back" policy as part of extra measures to enforce social distancing in a bid to protect customers and staff from the spread of coronavirus.

The Co-op's Long Street outlet has closed its main entrance off the high street until further notice, aiming to limit the number of customers in store at any one time.

Customers are being directed to the back of the store – where the entrance from the car park remains open – citing "recent government legislations" regarding the public keeping a safe space between each other.

In a notice on the store's main front window, it says the decision was taken to help "monitor and maintain" the number of customers entering the premises.

The message to the public adds: "These are measures we feel are necessary to help safeguard the health of both customers and store colleagues.

"We thank you for your understanding at this difficult time."

Other changes enforced by countering the coronavirus outbreak include floor markers which will define a one-metre distance throughout the town centre stores and two-metre spacing for customer queues.

The Co-op, which has 2,600 outlets nationwide, is also reducing the number of tills open, to allow greater distance between shoppers.

Chris Whitfield, the Co-op's chief operating officer, said: "The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues is our priority and we fully support the need for social distancing.

"We have introduced a number of measures in store, which will be reviewed on a daily basis, and we thank our customers for their understanding and support.

"We are immensely proud of our frontline colleagues and the work they are doing at this unprecedented time to serve our customers, members and local communities but we urge our customers to follow the Government advice to only shop for essential items and to be considerate of others when they are shopping."

The company added that to encourage the message to stay at home, Co-op stores will have reduced opening hours which will give staff time to re-stock and is encouraging contactless shopping where possible to reduce the handling of cash and speed up checkout.

Additional hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes and soap have been provided to all stores.