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As the Jewellery Quarter retailers are beginning to re-open, many are implementing new measures that will keep customers and staff safe. But with the experience of shopping for jewellery such an intimate and interactive experience, how can jewellers ensure that customer safety doesn’t impact on customer service? We chatted to Sonny’s Jewellers to shine a light on how jewellery retailers are navigating the new normal and what you should expect upon visiting.

How Sonny’s Jewellers have adapted to COVID-19

Sonny’s Jewellers are an independent family-run jeweller that specialise in diamond rings and bespoke designs. Taking pride in great customer service, their trade has always been customer facing. Upon closing the shop to adhere to government guidelines, they’ve been working on a website to start selling online – something that hadn’t been priority before lockdown began. Alongside this, they’ve worked hard to prepare for a re-opening that feels both safe and welcoming. Here’s a little insight into what procedures have been put in place and the changes that have been made to their store to help everyone feel safer.

Perspex Screens:

All around the shop Perspex screens have been fitted to ensure particles do not spread across the counter. With a gap at the bottom, this doesn’t affect the interactive experience of shopping for jewellery.

Hand Sanitiser:

As you walk into the store, you’ll see automatic sanitising stations spotted around nearby every serving point. These are available to use whenever customers feel, but the team ask that you sanitise your hand before trying on or handling any jewellery.

Open-door Policy:

To avoid the spread of germs, Sonny’s are avoiding the use of air conditioning where possible. This means the front door will stay open most of the time to ensure fresh air circulates. There’s also somebody to welcome you at the door and monitor the flow of customers.

Customer Guidelines

The team at Sonny’s kindly ask that all customers keep a safe distance from one another – this is guided by floor markings in the store and allocated serving stations. To help keep this distance and reduce the amount of people in the shop at one time, customers should only go inside with one person from their household or ‘bubble’.

All customers are asked to remove their facemasks and look up to the camera before entering the shop – purely for safety reasons. You may put your mask back on afterwards if you wish.

If you decide you’d like to handle or try on any of the jewellery, Sonny’s require you to apply hand sanitiser first.

Card payments are also the preferred choice of payment as all machines are wiped down after use – however cash will be accepted.

What are the team doing?

The whole team have completed the ‘Be COVID-19 Safe’ course with The National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) – ensuring they’re all knowledgeable of safety precautions and symptom signs. Leesha Kaur, Store Manager of Sonny’s, has also recently joined the National Committee of the NAJ, demonstrating Sonny’s commitment to best practice within the industry.

Temperature checks take place each morning and anybody with a high temperature will be asked to stay at home. Staff are also required to not come into work if they’re showing any symptoms. 

Cleaning in the store feels thorough. Areas are disinfected after each customer and all jewellery is sanitised after it’s been handled.

Staff are always on hand to remind customers of safety precautions, as it’s not always easy to remember!

We’re so happy to be back in the Quarter with our doors open again. We’ve taken real care to make sure both customers and employees feel safe inside the shop. Cleanliness is a top priority and all staff have been briefed on our policy. It’s nice to see independent businesses trading again and we’re hopeful for the future!

– Sonny, Owner.

Bounce-Back Sale

Now the shop has re-opened, they’ve also launched their biggest sale to date. Any ready-made jewellery stock currently has a huge 25% off! (This does exclude loose diamonds and bespoke jewellery). Browse their new website here upon making your visit to see them. 

View Sonny’s full COVID-19 policy on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram: @sonnysjewellers.

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