26 May
Which shops will reopen on 1 June and 15 June,  and what will stay closed?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced (25 May) a major step in the easing of Coronavirus restrictions.

Here's a quick guide to what shops will reopen and when - and which will remain closed

Millions of people will go back to work from Monday 15 June, as the Government allows non-essential retail to reopen.

Shoe shops, clothes outlets, bookshops, electronics and indoor markets will all be allowed to open their doors from 15 June.

Car showrooms and outdoor markets have been given an earlier start date of 1 June.

But all hospitality venues - from pubs, clubs and cafes to cinemas, theatres and bowling alleys - will remain shut.

The changes set out apply to England only, with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set to announce their own plans in the coming weeks.

New guidance to be published this week will include recommendations that retailers store returned items for 72 hours before putting them back out on the shop floor. Protective coverings could be put on large items touched by the public, such as beds or sofas. And "frequent cleaning" of self-checkouts, trolleys, coffee machines and betting terminals is advised.

The Government states the dates here are not final, and could be put back if the virus spikes.

1 June

  • Outdoor markets
  • Car showrooms

This will happen 1 June onwards,, "as soon as they are able to meet the COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers."

15 June

ALL other non-essential retail can reopen from this date including (but not limited to):

  • Clothes shops
  • Shoe shops
  • Toy shops
  • Furniture shops
  • Bookshops
  • Electronics
  • Tailors
  • Auction houses
  • Photography studios
  • Indoor markets

These retailers will "be able to reopen from 15 June if the Government’s five tests are met and only if retailers follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines.

What will remain closed?

The announcement did not include any venues in the hospitality or leisure sector.

These will stay shut until at least 4 July, and in some cases possibly much later. When they do reopen it may only be partially.

Places that remain shut, apart from a few exceptions like takeaways or hospital canteens include:

  • Restaurants, bars and pubs
  • Cafes and canteens
  • Hairdressers, barbers, beauty and nail salons 
  • Piercing and tattoo parlours 
  • Holiday accommodation including hotels, hostels, B&B's, holiday rentals, campsites and boarding houses 
  • Caravan parks/sites for commercial uses 
  • Libraries
  • Community centres 
  • Places of worship 
  • Museums and galleries 
  • Nightclubs 
  • Cinemas, theatres and concert halls
  • Bingo halls, casinos and betting shops 
  • Spas and massage parlours 
  • Skating rinks 
  • Indoor fitness studios, gyms, swimming pools or other indoor leisure centres 
  • Indoor arcades, bowling alleys, soft play centres and similar facilities 
  • Funfairs 
  • Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and outdoor swimming pools 
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