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Coronavirus: When will shops open and what will the rules be? Coronavirus: When will shops open and what will the rules be?
(8 days later)
Outdoor markets and car showrooms have been able to open again in England from Monday as the government eases its restrictions on some retail sites classed as "non-essential". Non-essential shops can reopen in England from Monday, as the government continues to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions imposed in March.
So, what can customers expect and what is the timetable for the reopening of other types of outlets? So, what can customers expect and what is the timetable for reopening other types of outlets?
When are shops opening? What sort of shops will open?
Supermarkets, corner shops, banks, pharmacies and petrol stations have been able to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown. But now that list has grown in England. From 15 June, all shops in England selling what are called non-essential goods will be able to open.
From Monday, open air markets and car showrooms have been allowed to reopen. The government says they must meet the Covid-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers. This includes retailers offering clothes, toys, books and electronics, as well as record shops, tailors, auction houses, photography studios and indoor markets.
It says, as with garden centres (which reopened in England on 13 May), the risk of transmission of the virus "is lower in these outdoor and more open spaces". Supermarkets, corner shops, banks, pharmacies and petrol stations have been able to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown.
One car dealership is trusting customers to take test drives alone. The National Association of British Markets Authorities chief executive, David Preston, though expects a lot of older stallholders will not return because of virus fears. Garden centres reopened in England on 13 May, followed by open air markets and car showrooms.
Furniture giant Ikea opened 19 of its stores across England and Northern Ireland on Monday, prompting long queues. Which High Street stores are reopening?
Hundreds of people starting queueing hours before the stores opened as Ikea asked them to come prepared with ready-made shopping lists and their own bags. Among department stores, John Lewis will start by opening 13 branches, while Next will only reopen 25 of its 500 stores on 15 June.
From 15 June, non-essential stores in England will be able to reopen. Debenhams will reopen 50 stores in England, having already resumed trading at three shops in Northern Ireland.
This includes shops selling things like clothes, toys, books and electronics, as well as tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets. However, Primark will keep its 190 shops closed until it is "convinced that it is safe and right" to open them.
Among department stores, John Lewis will open 13 branches initially, while Next will only reopen 25 of its 500 stores on 15 June. Primark will keep its 190 shops closed until it is "convinced that it is safe and right" to open them. The government says newly reopened stores must meet the Covid-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers.
Some other retailers which closed in March have been gradually reopening under lockdown, because they sell products classed as essential, such as DIY, furniture and bicycles.
Furniture giant Ikea opened 19 of its stores across England and Northern Ireland recently, prompting long queues.
What about the rest of the UK?What about the rest of the UK?
No dates have been set for the reopening of shops in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but each country has plans in place. No dates have been set for the reopening of most shops in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but each country has plans in place.
Smaller shops and outdoor markets will be allowed to reopen in Scotland in phase two of its lockdown easing plan.Smaller shops and outdoor markets will be allowed to reopen in Scotland in phase two of its lockdown easing plan.
In Wales, non-essential shops and services could happen in the amber phase of its exit strategy. In Wales, non-essential shops and services could open in the amber phase of its exit strategy.
Non-food retail outlets can reopen in step two of Northern Ireland's plan.Non-food retail outlets can reopen in step two of Northern Ireland's plan.
How will shopping be different?How will shopping be different?
Perspex screens at the tills and floor markings to keep shoppers 2m (6ft) apart have already become a regular fixture in supermarkets. And those measures are also likely to feature in other shops.Perspex screens at the tills and floor markings to keep shoppers 2m (6ft) apart have already become a regular fixture in supermarkets. And those measures are also likely to feature in other shops.
But some more unfamiliar measures are also expected to be put in place to try to reduce the spread of the virus.But some more unfamiliar measures are also expected to be put in place to try to reduce the spread of the virus.
Shoe shop Kurt Geiger will put footwear aside for 24 hours after a customer has tried them on, and Waterstones has said it will quarantine books for 72 hours after people have touched them.Shoe shop Kurt Geiger will put footwear aside for 24 hours after a customer has tried them on, and Waterstones has said it will quarantine books for 72 hours after people have touched them.
Stores have been asked to encourage people to shop alone, if they can, and talk to local authorities about providing extra parking and bike racks where possible, to stop people using public transport.Stores have been asked to encourage people to shop alone, if they can, and talk to local authorities about providing extra parking and bike racks where possible, to stop people using public transport.
The number of customers in stores will be limited and shopping centres have been told they are responsible for controlling queues in common areas outside stores.The number of customers in stores will be limited and shopping centres have been told they are responsible for controlling queues in common areas outside stores.
Do shops expect many customers?Do shops expect many customers?
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) estimates that the current lockdown is costing non-essential retailers £1.8bn a week in lost sales, and it does not expect that to pick up immediately shops reopen. The British Retail Consortium estimates that the lockdown is costing non-essential retailers £1.8bn a week in lost sales.
"Evidence from other countries suggests that, despite an initial bounce in spending in the weeks after restrictions are lifted, discretionary spend is likely to remain subdued as the coronavirus pandemic wears on," said the BRC's Kyle Monk. It may take time for things to return to normal.
The British Independent Retailers Association's chief executive, Andrew Goodacre, believes fewer people than before will go shopping and they may "soon become weary of queuing".The British Independent Retailers Association's chief executive, Andrew Goodacre, believes fewer people than before will go shopping and they may "soon become weary of queuing".
He told the BBC: "Social distancing also takes away the fun and positive experience of shopping. All these factors mean that it will be difficult at first, and for many months after." He told the BBC: "Social distancing also takes away the fun and positive experience of shopping."
When will hairdressers, cafes and pubs open?When will hairdressers, cafes and pubs open?
Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels, cinemas and places of worship will be allowed to open from 4 July at the earliest, if they can meet social distancing measures. Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels, cinemas and places of worship will currently be allowed to open from 4 July at the earliest, if they can meet social distancing measures.
However, indoor public spaces such as beauty salons, where social distancing may be difficult, could reopen ''significantly later", depending on when the rate of infection falls.However, indoor public spaces such as beauty salons, where social distancing may be difficult, could reopen ''significantly later", depending on when the rate of infection falls.
Hospitality firms and some other small businesses may have to wait longer to reopen.Hospitality firms and some other small businesses may have to wait longer to reopen.
And Mike Cherry, national chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, wants the government to "provide those firms some idea of when they'll be able to get back to work".
He added: "High Streets up and down the country have been largely empty for months now, and while more businesses in England may be able to open up soon, there may well be not enough custom to justify the financial and health costs.
"Until people feel safe enough to spend, small businesses face a long struggle back to steady ground."