Government sets reopening timeline for high street shops, department stores and shopping centres.

In the announcement yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, stated the following plans:

• From 1 June 2020 all outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen, as soon as businesses are able to meet COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers. As with garden centres, the risk of transmission of the virus is lower in these outdoor and more open spaces. Car showrooms often have significant outdoor space and it is generally easier to apply social distancing.
• All other non-essential retail including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, plus tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets, will be expected to be able to reopen from 15 June 2020 if the Government’s five tests are met and they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines, giving them three weeks to prepare.

Read the full statement on the GOV.UK website.

Government guidance for reopening can be found here.

Additionally, the government is holding a series of webinars to support business during recovery and restart, with the next taking place on Thursday 28 May at 11am, covering guidance for people who run shops, branches, stores or similar environments. To view the full list, please follow this link.

For any further information, please contact the Worcestershire Business Central team on 01905 677 888 or email info@worcestershiregrowthhub.co.uk.