Non-essential retailers are due to reopen next month as England’s lockdown restrictions continue to ease.
The Government’s roadmap out of lockdown confirmed the earliest date non-essential businesses could reopen their doors, which will come as part of step two in the plan and also see outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and outdoors cinemas return.
During the country’s third lockdown, many retailers have continued to offer online shopping, with the noted exception of Primark, which does not have an online shop.
For those keen to visit a high street store soon, the Government says all non-essential retailers, such as Primark, Ikea, Next, Currys PC World and Game, will reopen on April 12 at the earliest.
But what rules are the rules for making this happen? Here’s what you need to know, according to BirminghamLive.
Which businesses can reopen?
Non-essential retail is defined by the Government as including the following:
clothing and fashion stores and tailors
retail travel agents
homeware stores
carpet stores
kitchen, bathroom, tile, and glazing showrooms
tobacco and vape shops
electronic goods and mobile phone shops
charity shops
photography studios
antique stores
homeopathic and naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and ayurveda
markets (except livestock markets or stalls which fall under the list of essential businesses above, for example those selling food)
car and other vehicle showrooms and other premises, including outdoor areas, used for the sale or hire of caravans, boats or any vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means. However, taxi or vehicle hire businesses can continue. For example, a customer could order a rental vehicle online and collect it in person.
car washes (except for automatic car washes)
auction houses (except for auctions of livestock or agricultural equipment)
betting shops
Is April 12 set in stone?
Unfortunately not, the April 12 date is subject to change depending on the most recent data meeting the Government's 'four tests'.
These include the success of the vaccine rollout, evidence of vaccine efficacy, new variants and infection rates.
Each step will only take place if the analysis of the latest data against the four tests does not require a delay.
If one step in the roadmap is delayed, the others will be pushed back in order to create a five week gap between them.
An announcement will be made on April 5 as to whether this opening date will go ahead or needs to be pushed back.
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Can this date be brought forward?
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed this week that the earliest dates for lifting restrictions are still as set out in the roadmap and would not be brought forward.
In a briefing from Downing Street this week he said: "The reason for those dates is to give five weeks between steps so that we are going to see the effect of each step before making a decision after four weeks, with a week to go, as to whether we are able to take the next step.
"It's a cautious but, we hope, irreversible path, and the effectiveness of the vaccine gives me increased confidence that we are going to be able to walk down that road as set out in the roadmap and we can see that the vaccines are making people safe and saving lives."
