When do non-essential shops open in England?
6 April 2021, 10:27
What do non-essential shops reopen in England? Find out the date they are due to open under Boris Johnson's roadmap.
Earlier this year, Boris Johnson unveiled his planned roadmap for the lifting of lockdown measures in England.
Read more: When can driving lessons resume under new lockdown rules?
He announced that this will be done in four stages - the first, which started on March 8, saw schools open and people allowed to meet one person from another household outside for a picnic or to sit on a park bench.
In new rules brought on on March 29, people are also able to do outdoor sports and meet up in private gardens (subject to the rules of six).
Non-essential shops are due to open as part of the next stage of lockdown-easing.
Here's your need-to-know.
When will non-essential shops reopen in England?
Boris Johnson confirmed on Easter Monday that non-essential shops will reopen on 12 April as planned.
This means that all shops forced to close during lockdown - such as clothes and other high street stores - will be allowed to welcome customers on that date.
Read more: Full list of businesses allowed to reopen on April 12
On this date, hairdressers and nail salons will also open their doors, along with pub gardens and restaurants with outside areas.
Pubs and restaurants to open from 12 April outside
When announcing his roadmap, Mr Johnson stressed that lockdown-easing will be driven by 'data not dates' - and it would all depend on the following four conditions being met.
- The vaccine deployment continuing successfully
- There is evidence that the vaccine is effective in reducing deaths
- There isn't a surge in hospitalisation
- Assessment of risks are not fundamentally changed by new variants of Covid that cause concern
What non-essential shops will open in April?
Currently, only shops that are deemed essential by the government are allowed to be open.
These include food shops, newsagents, pharmacies and garden centres.
Shops that are deemed non-essential are things like clothes shops, charity shops antique stores, retail travel agents, betting shops and car showrooms.
For the full list of non-essential shops that will be allowed to reopen, visit the gov.uk website.
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