- the Chancellor visited a Waterstones, one of the thousands of
shops opening their doors again
- nearly 7,000 high streets will reawaken on Monday as
non-essential retail can open as part of the government’s plan to
gradually and safely reopen the economy
- non-essential retail employs 1.3 million people and provides
£46.6 billion to our economy every year
Together, the non-essential retail sector employs 1.3 million
people in high streets up and down the country and provides £46.6
billion to our economy every year. They’re able to reopen thanks
to the ongoing efforts of people across the country to meet the
Five Tests set out by the Prime Minister.
Waterstones is one of the many shops set to open their doors
again from Monday provided they follow the COVID-19 secure
guidelines, such as limiting the number of customers allowed
inside and frequently cleaning objects and surfaces. Waterstones
have installed sneeze guards and sanitiser stations, and browsed
books will be removed and quarantined. , Chancellor of the Exchequer
said:
From Monday, shops selling books, clothes, and electronics are
able to open for business for the first time in more than two
months, as part of our plan to gradually and safely reopen the
economy.
There are nearly 7,000 high streets across the country, each
providing a valuable service to their community. They will be
vital in helping kickstart the economy as we recover from the
virus.
The retail sector employs more people than any other sector in
the UK and more than 10 million people live within 200 metres of
a high street.
Kate Skipper, Waterstones’ Chief Operating Officer said:
We are delighted to be reopening on 15 June as we bring our
shops safely out of hibernation. We can’t wait to welcome
booklovers back to their natural habitat as we return to
serving our customers within their communities. Healthy local
high streets are vital to communities at all times, providing
much-needed services and employment to their neighbourhoods.
New measures will be in place to ensure the safety of our
customers and our booksellers but our shops will still be
bursting full of interesting books to read. We look forward to
seeing you there.
Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Businesses’ National Chair said:
As our high streets begin to reopen after this period of
crisis, small businesses will be at the very heart of that
economic recovery.
Making up 99 per cent of all businesses in the country, small
firms are the backbone of the economy and at the heart of the
economic recovery in their local communities in the weeks and
months to come.
The general public and communities have been fantastic in
supporting their local businesses through this difficult time.
The reopening of shops is a landmark day, so please do support
your local small businesses this week.
- Pictures from the Chancellor’s visit to Waterstones can be
found on our Flickr page.
- Businesses should only reopen once they have completed a risk
assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or
workers, and are confident they are managing the risks. They must
have taken the necessary steps to become COVID-19 secure in line
with current Health and Safety legislation.
