Non-essential shops will be able to remain open until 10pm Monday to Saturday, according to ministers.
The move is to provide a safe return to the high street when non-essential retailers reopen on April 12 as part of Boris Johnson’s plans to ease lockdown.
All going to plan, the Prime Minister’s road map will see non-essential stores reopen their doors next month.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced new rules to help reduce the coronavirus infection rate as the country eases out of lockdown restrictions.
Mr Jenrick announced the new rules ahead of the next step out of lockdown starting today when the rule of six returns and the “stay at home” message is relaxed slightly.
Shops will be able to extend their opening hours from 7am to 10pm to help customers to avoid peak times and ease transport pressures, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Announcing the temporary measures, Mr Jenrick said: “To support businesses to reopen and recover, I’ve extended measures to allow shops to stay open for longer.
“This is part of a package of support to help reopen our shops and high streets safely – backed by £56 million.
“This will provide a much-needed boost for many businesses – protecting jobs, reducing pressure on public transport and supporting people and communities to continue to visit their high streets safely and shop locally.”
To support businesses to reopen and recover, I’ve extended measures to allow shops to stay open for longer.
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) March 26, 2021
Backed by our new £56 million ‘Welcome Back Fund’, we are supporting the safe reopening of our shops and high streets. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/EWEyE7WX0Y
The Government has also announced it will extend flexible working hours on construction sites, and will allow food deliveries to supermarkets over more time periods.
Other measures also included keeping the flexibility for pubs and restaurants to put up marquees to help increase seating capacity in a Covid-secure way.
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