A NUMBER of high street shops are still allowed to stay open across the UK during the national lockdowns – here’s the full list.
Just like the previous two coronavirus lockdowns in England, a number of stores can operate as usual because they are considered to be essential.
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Supermarkets and chemists are among the places that can stay open so shoppers can still access groceries and medicines.
But clothes shops and toy stores have been forced to close because the items they sell are not essential.
Instead, many of them are offering click and collect services as well as home delivery.
However, click and collect for non-essential retail is currently banned in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
In England, the tighter restrictions come as the spread of the new strain of COVID-19 has led to “rapidly escalating case numbers across the country”, a No10 spokesperson said earlier in January.
The Covid threat level has also been moved into its highest level for the first time ever.
But as restrictions ramp up, which businesses and shops are open today? Below we explain all you need to know.
Which shops can open in lockdown?
Here’s the full list of “essential” businesses which the government has ruled can stay open in England.
- Supermarkets
- Pharmacies
- Garden centres
- Building merchants and suppliers of building products and off-licences
- Market stalls selling essential retail
- Businesses providing repair services but only if they primarily offer repair services
- Petrol stations
- Automatic (but not manual) car washes
- Vehicle repair and MOT services
- Bicycle shops
- Taxi and vehicle hire businesses
- Banks and building societies
- Post offices
- Short-term loan providers and money transfer businesses
- Funeral directors
- Laundrettes and dry cleaners
- Medical and dental services
- Vets and pet shops
- Animal rescue centres, boarding facilities, and animal groomers
- Agricultural supplies shops
- Mobility and disability support shops
- Storage and distribution facilities
- Car parks
- Public toilets
- Motorway service areas
- Outdoor playgrounds
- Outdoor parts of botanical gardens and heritage sites for exercise
- Places of worship
- Crematoriums and burial grounds
Below we take a look at which big high street retailers are open during the lockdown. All supermarkets also remain open for business.
B&M
B&M, which has over 600 shops across the UK, told The Sun it won’t be closing any stores during this lockdown.
During the first lockdown, B&M temporarily closed 49 of its stores but these have since reopened.
You can find your nearest shop, including all of the latest opening hours, by using the B&M store finder tool.
B&M’s current opening hours are typically from 8am until 8pm Monday to Saturday.
Stores are then open from 11am until 5pm on Sundays.
Shoppers can’t order from the retailer online, and customers are being reminded to only visit stores for essential products.
Boots
Boots stores remain open during the third lockdown in England to allow people to access medicines and essentials.
Boots Opticians and Boots Hearingcare are also open for business, and customers are able to book appointments as usual.
The opening times of Boots stores vary between locations and the pharmacy chain warns that they can change with short notice too.
To find out the opening times of your local Boots shop, simply use its store locator tool.
Boots has roughly 2,400 shops across the UK.
B&Q
B&Q remains open in lockdown, as hardware stores have been confirmed as “essential” retailers.
Stores are open from 7am until 8pm from Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays, but check ahead in case there are any local changes.
You can find your nearest B&Q by using its online finder tool which includes the latest opening hours.
Halfords
Halfords stores are currently open for business in lockdown after shutting during the Christmas period.
Halfords has 400 shops and 350 garages in the UK – use its store finder tool to find your nearest shop.
Home Bargains
Home Bargains’ roughly 500 stores are open as normal – you can find your local branch by using the online shop finder tool.
The retailer’s stores are typically open 8am to 8pm every day, but opening times can vary so make sure you double-check this in advance.
Homebase
Homebase stores are also open today in lockdown.
The retailer has over 100 stores in the UK, use the online store finder tool to see where your nearest is.
Stores are typically open from 9am until 6pm Monday through to Saturday, and between 10am and 4pm on Sunday.
Poundland
Poundland stores remain open as they sell items which are classed as essential.
However, the discounter has temporarily shut 44 of its stores as it says fewer people are visiting than normal.
You can find your nearest shop using the store locator tool.
Opening hours vary across stores so it’s worth checking with your local branch before you visit.
Poundland has over 800 stores in the UK.
Poundstretcher
Poundstretcher’s stores are open as normal because the retailer sells cleaning and food products.
There are 400 stores across the UK and you can find your nearest one here including the latest opening hours.
Screwfix
Screwfix remains open as hardware stores are classed as “essential” retailers.
Screwfix has around 700 shops in the UK – use the online store finder tool to track down your nearest.
Superdrug
Superdrug remains open as it provides essential services, such as medicines and its pharmacy counters.
It also sells important goods such as baby milk, nappies and hand wash.
Superdrug opening hours vary between branches, so you’ll want to check its store locator tool for the latest times.
Shops are typically open between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Sunday hours are usually 10am until 4pm.
Wilko
Wilko stores remain open as they also sell essential products.
The retailer has 416 stores across the UK. You can see where your nearest store is by using the online store finder.
Most shops open until 6pm, Monday to Saturday, although some may stay open as late as 8pm. Hours are usually 10am until 4pm on Sundays.
During the first lockdown, Wilko reduced its opening hours to 5pm in all stores so staff could have more time to replenish stock
Wickes
Last but not least, Wickes is also staying open, due to the retailer selling products for home repairs.
There are over 230 Wickes stores in the UK. Use its store finder tool to see where your nearest is and all the up-to-date opening hours.
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Supermarkets are open and they have certain rules you need to follow in store when visiting – and there may be some limits on items too.
Pubs, bars and restaurants are closed but they can offer takeaway and delivery services, although takeaway pints are banned.
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