26 March 2021

Bira has backed the continued extension of trading hours when non-essential reopens in England.

Extended daily opening hours for non-essential retail will continue - helping people return to our high streets safely, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick MP has today (March 27) confirmed.

This will help ensure the safe re-opening of non-essential shops by giving people greater flexibility to avoid peak times and easing transport pressures.

When they reopen from April 12 at the earliest, shops will have the flexibility to open until 10pm Monday to Saturday.

A written ministerial statement was laid on Thursday 25 March to give non-essential retail greater flexibility as the country cautiously moves out of lockdown.

As part of the £56 million ‘Welcome Back Fund’ announced last week, Mr Jenrick is encouraging councils to continue supporting social distancing measures and relaxing planning rules where possible to ensure people can continue to keep a safe distance on our high streets.

The Government is also extending flexible working hours on construction sites, allowing food deliveries to supermarkets over more time periods, and keeping the flexibility for pubs and restaurants to erect marquees to help increase seating capacity in a Covid-secure way.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP 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.”

Andrew Goodacre, Bira CEO, said: "The decision is sensible and in line with actions taken after previous lockdowns.

"We hope that government departments take other steps to bring consumers back to the high streets help people keep safe with the provision of marshals, clear signage and maintaining access to the shops with free car parking."

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