Non-essential retailers across England to reopen within weeks

Non-essential retailers across England will be able to reopen from the middle of next month according to new government guidance.

In his daily briefing yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that non-essential shops would be able to open their doors from June 15 following closure as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

New government guidelines have been published in order to instruct businesses on how to ensure social distancing and hygiene standards ahead of the reopening.

In addition to stores reopening, outdoor markets and car dealerships will be able to open as soon as June 1.

The British Retail Consortium welcomed the announcement, confirming it provided “much-needed clarity on the route ahead”.

However the British Association of Independent Retailers felt that the reopening date was not soon enough for smaller businesses: “It is… a little disappointing for the smaller retailers not to be able to open until June 15, especially as they can make it safe to do so.”

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