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Coronavirus: When will shops open and what will the rules be? Coronavirus: What shops will open next?
(2 days later)
Non-essential shops can reopen in England from Monday, as the government continues to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions imposed in March. Non-essential shops can reopen in England from Monday, as the government continues to ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
So, what can customers expect and what is the timetable for reopening other types of outlets? Similar retailers were allowed to reopen in Northern Ireland on Friday.
What sort of shops will open? So what can customers expect?
From 15 June, all shops in England selling what are called non-essential goods will be able to open. What sort of shops will reopen?
This includes retailers offering clothes, toys, books and electronics, as well as record shops, tailors, auction houses, photography studios and indoor markets. From Monday, all shops in England selling what are called "non-essential" goods will be able to open.
This includes retailers offering clothes, toys, books and electronics - as well as record shops, tailors, auction houses, photography studios and indoor markets.
The government says newly reopened stores must meet Covid-19 guidelines to show shoppers and workers can be kept safe.
Supermarkets, corner shops, banks, pharmacies and petrol stations have been able to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown.Supermarkets, corner shops, banks, pharmacies and petrol stations have been able to remain open during the coronavirus lockdown.
Garden centres reopened in England on 13 May, followed by open air markets and car showrooms. Garden centres reopened in England in mid-May, followed by open-air markets and car showrooms on 1 June.
Which High Street stores are reopening?Which High Street stores are reopening?
Among department stores, John Lewis will start by opening 13 branches in stages, while Next will only reopen 25 of its 500 stores on 15 June. A number of big retailers have announced plans for Monday:
Debenhams will reopen 50 stores in England, having already resumed trading at three shops in Northern Ireland.
Primark has announced that it will reopen all 153 of its shops in England on Monday.
The government says newly reopened stores must meet Covid-19 guidelines to show shoppers and workers can be kept safe.
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.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.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?
In Northern Ireland, all shops are allowed to open from Friday. In Northern Ireland, all shops are now allowed to open.
Smaller shops and outdoor markets will be allowed to reopen in Scotland in phase two of its lockdown easing plan. In Scotland, smaller shops and outdoor markets will be allowed to reopen in phase two of its lockdown-easing plan. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says it's likely there will be more details on Thursday.
In Wales, non-essential shops and services could open in the amber phase of its exit strategy. Wales's Economy Minister Ken Skates says he would "absolutely" like to see non-essential shops reopen the week of 22 June if coronavirus statistics continue to fall.
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. You are likely to see them in other shops too.
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 - including pleas to not touch items unless you intend to buy - will be in place to try to reduce the virus spread.
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 says 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. Can I go shopping with friends?
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. It's probably better if you don't. Stores have been asked to encourage people to shop alone, if they can.
Do shops expect many customers? There is also the problem of how you travel there and back. Big retailers have been urged to 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, while shopping centres have been told they are responsible for controlling queues in common areas outside stores.
Will it be busy?
It may take time for customers to return to their old shopping habits.
The British Retail Consortium estimates that the lockdown is costing non-essential retailers £1.8bn a week in lost sales.The British Retail Consortium estimates that the lockdown is costing non-essential retailers £1.8bn a week in lost sales.
It may take time for things to return to normal. "Many retailers will be anxious to see whether demand returns to our High Streets," says the BRC's chief executive, Helen Dickinson.
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, is also wary - believing 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." With many people fearful for their jobs, now may not be the time to splurge on the High Street - but there may be bargains.
Clothing retailers went into lockdown just after stocking up with spring and summer ranges, which they now need to shift.
When will hairdressers, cafes and pubs open?When will hairdressers, cafes and pubs open?
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. Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, hotels and cinemas won't be allowed to open their doors until 4 July at the earliest - and even then, only 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.
Hospitality firms and some other small businesses may have to wait longer to reopen.