JOHN Lewis, Currys PC World and Ikea are among retailers extending their opening hours ahead of the second lockdown.
The Entertainer and Marks and Spencer are also planning on keeping stores open longer before England enters a four-week lockdown, starting tomorrow (November 5).
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The strict new measures were announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the weekend.
As part of the restrictions, shops will be ordered to close unless they are classed as an “essential” retailer.
Those included on this list are businesses like supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware stores.
Other shops that sell food, medicines or other essential goods are also allowed to stay open.
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But stores that are “non-essential” – which includes those that sell toys, clothing, electronics and homeware – will have to close from midnight tonight.
Ahead of the restrictions, shops including John Lewis, Currys PC World and The Entertainer have confirmed longer hours for this evening.
John Lewis boss Gary Grant told the BBC that 173 stores will be staying open until 7pm or 8pm, instead of 5.30pm.
Mr Grant described the later hours as “like Christmas” and said stores want to give customers more chance to shop this evening.
Which shops are staying open later today?
THE following shops have confirmed longer opening hours in England today (November 4) ahead of the second coronavirus lockdown:
Currys PC World: 8pm (smaller stores) or 10pm (larger stores)
Ikea: Hasn’t said how late shops will stay open
John Lewis: 7pm or 8pm
M&S: Hasn’t said how late shops will stay open
The Entertainer: 9pm or 10pm
Currys PC World, meanwhile, will extend its opening hours until 8pm or 10pm in all England stores this evening.
We’ve asked how many stores it has in England and we’ll update this article when we know more.
Ikea told The Sun that it plans on keeping some stores open later, although it hasn’t confirmed how many branches.
The retailer – which has 17 shops and four planning studios and click and collect points in England – also couldn’t say how late some stores will stay open for.
Meanwhile, The Entertainer also confirmed that all shops in England will be open later today, with some branches staying open as late as 9pm or 10pm.
The Entertainer has around 160 shops across the UK.
M&S is also keeping 200 of its stores in England open for “slightly extended” trading hours.
As opening hours do vary depending on location, customers should still check the relevant store finder tools to see the latest opening times.
The second lockdown is due to remain in place until December 2.
We’ve rounded up a list here for all the shops that can and can’t stay open until then.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different lockdown rules in place.
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The second lockdown will see gyms, non-essential retailers and bars shut.
Pubs and restaurants will also not be allowed to stay open, although takeaway food is allowed.
We’ve got a list of food places that can carry on offering takeaway and delivery here.
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