Thousands of high-street shops, shopping centres to reopen on Monday

High-street retailers and department stores — including bookshops; electronics retailers; tailors; auction houses; photography studios; indoor markets; and shops selling clothes, shoes and toys — will be allowed to open their doors again provided they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines set out by the government in May.

Retailers will need to take certain steps to protect customers and staff, including limiting the number of customers allowed inside at one time, placing protective coverings on large items such as sofas which may be touched by passing shoppers, and frequently checking and cleaning objects and surfaces.

Employers should also display a notice visibly in their shop windows or outside their store to show their employees, customers and other visitors that they have followed this guidance.

“Shops, department stores and shopping centres that have been closed since March will be able to reopen from Monday, 15 June, provided they put in place the necessary steps to keep their workers and customers safe. This is the latest step in the careful restarting of the economy and will enable high streets up and down the country to spring back to life,” said Business Secretary Alok Sharma.

“I would like to thank workers at supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices and other essential retailers who have introduced social distancing to keep the public and their staff safe. Now is the time to apply these principles to even more shops to allow workers safely back into stores and welcome back shoppers, as we look to get the economy going again.”

The Business Secretary confirmed the UK continues to meet the five tests set out in the Prime Minister’s roadmap, meaning it is safe to continue gradually reopening parts of the economy.