This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52033260
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus: Off-licences added to list of 'essential' retailers | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Off-licences have been added to the government's list of essential UK retailers allowed to stay open during the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| The list was updated on Wednesday amid increasing reports of supermarkets are selling out some beers and wines. | |
| The move came as bicycle and car parts retailer Halfords had to defend its decision to keep shops open. | |
| Boss Graham Stapleton said the chain had "an essential role to play in keeping the country moving". | Boss Graham Stapleton said the chain had "an essential role to play in keeping the country moving". |
| Halfords' Autocentre garages and mobile vans remain open, with plans for "partial store coverage" across its 446 shops. | |
| Halfords drew criticism after it said it would keep some stores open after being named by the government as an "essential provider of services". | Halfords drew criticism after it said it would keep some stores open after being named by the government as an "essential provider of services". |
| #BoycottHalfords was trending on social media on Tuesday. | #BoycottHalfords was trending on social media on Tuesday. |
| Some Twitter users cited concerns over a lack of protection for on-site workers while others, including MSP Fulton MacGregor, questioned whether the business should be open at all. | Some Twitter users cited concerns over a lack of protection for on-site workers while others, including MSP Fulton MacGregor, questioned whether the business should be open at all. |
| In a trading update, the firm said: "We are committed to playing our part, but only if we can ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and customers." | In a trading update, the firm said: "We are committed to playing our part, but only if we can ensure the health and safety of our colleagues and customers." |
| It also said it had the "legal flexibility to remain open across the entire business". | It also said it had the "legal flexibility to remain open across the entire business". |
| 'Vital support' | 'Vital support' |
| Mr Stapleton said that the chain had a part to play "in providing vital support to emergency workers, fleet operations and the general population as they travel for essential supplies". | Mr Stapleton said that the chain had a part to play "in providing vital support to emergency workers, fleet operations and the general population as they travel for essential supplies". |
| It will also continue to take orders online via home delivery services and click-and-collect once branches have reopened. | It will also continue to take orders online via home delivery services and click-and-collect once branches have reopened. |
| Halfords added it was offering all NHS frontline workers a free 10-point car check during the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| It comes as the government announced it would grant drivers a six-month emergency MOT extension under new regulation due to come into force on 30 March to ensure "frontline workers to get to work". | It comes as the government announced it would grant drivers a six-month emergency MOT extension under new regulation due to come into force on 30 March to ensure "frontline workers to get to work". |
| Other bicycle firms such as Brompton Bicycle, a folding bike specialist, have lent bicycles to staff at hospitals in London to help them get to and from work. | Other bicycle firms such as Brompton Bicycle, a folding bike specialist, have lent bicycles to staff at hospitals in London to help them get to and from work. |
| And some people on social media supported Halfords' decision to stay open during the pandemic. | And some people on social media supported Halfords' decision to stay open during the pandemic. |
| Essential retailers | Essential retailers |
| After strict new restrictions were brought in by government earlier this week, it issued a list of “essential retailers”, such as Halfords, that are allowed to stay open. They include: | After strict new restrictions were brought in by government earlier this week, it issued a list of “essential retailers”, such as Halfords, that are allowed to stay open. They include: |
| Dusting old bikes off | Dusting old bikes off |
| Trade industry bodies had previously said that bicycle retailers and repair shops had seen a spike in demand as people "clean the cobwebs off" their old bikes in an attempt to avoid public transport during the pandemic. | Trade industry bodies had previously said that bicycle retailers and repair shops had seen a spike in demand as people "clean the cobwebs off" their old bikes in an attempt to avoid public transport during the pandemic. |
| Jonathan Harrison of the Association of Cycle Traders told the BBC that "there had been an uplift in sales across the board, with larger retailers also reporting more 'entry-level' bikes going." | Jonathan Harrison of the Association of Cycle Traders told the BBC that "there had been an uplift in sales across the board, with larger retailers also reporting more 'entry-level' bikes going." |
| However, he pointed out that with more consumers staying in due to the new government restrictions, "it's difficult to know whether or not that trend will continue." | However, he pointed out that with more consumers staying in due to the new government restrictions, "it's difficult to know whether or not that trend will continue." |
| Halfords said on Wednesday that it expected sales to fall by about 25% in the new financial year, due to the impact of the coronavirus. | Halfords said on Wednesday that it expected sales to fall by about 25% in the new financial year, due to the impact of the coronavirus. |
| For its stores and garages that will close during the outbreak, the firm also said it would tap into the support offered by government to pay 80% of salary for staff who are kept on, covering wages of up to £2,500 a month. | For its stores and garages that will close during the outbreak, the firm also said it would tap into the support offered by government to pay 80% of salary for staff who are kept on, covering wages of up to £2,500 a month. |