Shops could stay open until 10PM six days a week when they reopen after lockdown

SHOPS could stay open until 10pm six days a week when they reopen after lockdown, it emerged today.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said giving shops the flexibility to stay open will help people return to high streets safely.

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Reuters

The changes will give people greater flexibility to avoid peak times and ease transport pressures when non-essential shops open on April 12 at the earliest, according to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

When retail is reopened as part of the Prime Minister’s lockdown road map, shops will have the flexibility to open until 10pm Monday to Saturday following the publication of a written ministerial statement on Thursday.

The Government is also extending flexible working hours on construction sites.

This will allow food deliveries to supermarkets over more time periods, and keep the flexibility for pubs and restaurants to put up marquees to help increase seating capacity in a Covid-secure way.

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 £56million.

“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.”