The shops where you CAN try on clothes as they reopen changing rooms next week

SHOPPERS will be able to try on clothes again before buying them when stores reopen next week.

Non-essential retailers have been given the go-ahead to welcome back customers from Monday, April 12, as lockdown restrictions ease.

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Fashion brands have also been given the green-light to open changing rooms again so customers can try before they buy.

But retailers and customers will have to follow Covid rules when using them.

Shop managers will need to leave it “several minutes” between customers and cubicles should be cleaned regularly.

Stores are also advised to deploy a member of staff to control entry to changing areas and allow only one person at a time into a cubicle.

But the rules stop short of saying that clothes should be quarantined before being put back out on the shop floor again.

It comes after Boris Johnson confirmed that England can go forward with stage two of his roadmap out of the coronavirus lockdown from next week.

Changing rooms have been closed for a year after Covid-secure guidance meant they had to remain shut when stores reopened following the first national lockdown.

The updated guidance will come as a relief to retailers who feared their closure will push customers to continue to shop online instead of return to the high street.

But not all retailers will be opening them again. Here, we round up retailers’ policies regarding reopening fitting rooms from Monday:

Retailers opening fitting rooms from Monday

John Lewis

John Lewis will open its 34 stores in England and Wales from April 12.

There are fewer stores than before the coronavirus outbreak as the department store has since closed 16 stores for good.

Fitting rooms will be open though, along with other in-store services like kids shoe fittings and home design services.

Rules in place to keep customers and staff safe include wearing of face masks (unless exempt) and social distancing.

The retailer will have staff on the door to help customers, manage queues and keep an eye on the number of people in store.

It is yet to confirm whether it will be extending opening hours.

H&M

Fashion brand H&M has said it will be reopening some of its fitting rooms when stores open next week.

A spokesperson said: “We look forward to welcoming our colleagues and customers back to our stores. 

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“We are pleased to be reopening some of our fitting rooms, as per the government guidelines.”

It is not clear exactly which stores will reopen fitting rooms so it may be best to contact your local store before heading out.

You can find the contact details but typing in your postcode to the store locator tool.

The retailer is planning to reopen all of its stores in England and Wales on Monday when restrictions are eased.

River Island

River Island hopes to reopen most of its changing rooms from next Monday so customers can try clothes on before buying them.

Customers will be able to head back to River Island stores in England and Wales next week.

They’ll have to follow Covid-secure measures though, such as wearing a mask, social distancing and hand sanitising regularly.

You can find your nearest one using the store locator tool.

The fashion brand has continued to operate online and run a click and collect service.

Stores keeping changing rooms shut

Some stores have confirmed they will be keeping changing rooms closed for now. These include:

Primark

Primark has confirmed it will be keeping changing rooms closed to customers when shops open again on Monday but it told The Sun it will be keeping things “under review”.

However, it will be implementing a range of safety measures, such as social distancing and limits on the number of people in stores.

Hand sanitisation stations and perspex screens will be in place at tills.

Face coverings are required in stores and in queues if you are waiting to enter.

On the plus side, the high street fave will also have extended opening hours as nearly all of its locations that are reopening.

Marks & Spencer

M&S has said it will not be opening fitting rooms when shops open again next week.

However, the retailer it starting up its bra-fitting service again.

Customers will be able to book appointments for “no contact” fittings and a member of staff will advise shoppers on how to measure themselves.

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Next

Next is still deciding on whether to reopen fitting rooms to allow customers to try on close before buying them.

The retailer is looking at the practicality of implementing the rules to changing rooms open, such as having an extra staff member on hand to man them.

As it stands, the changing rooms will not be open but this could change before April 12 and we’ll keep you updated.

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Punters can head to the pubs too from next Monday – although they’ll have to sit outdoors.

And Brits desperate to get their locks chopped can go back to the hairdressers from April 12.

Here’s a round up of all the things you can do from next week.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk