Ministers are under growing pressure to allow garden centres to open immediately amid warnings the lockdown will force nurseries to dump 200 million unsold plants and hand rival European firms a major advantage. Former Tory Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said it was illogical to allow supermarket chains to sell plants and flowers, but not garden centres … Read more
John Lewis ready to reopen shops in May: We’ll trigger three-stage plan as soon as Ministers give go-ahead, says boss The plan to reopen the 50-store chain would take three to six weeks to complete Andrew Murphy emphasised it was a ‘portable’ strategy Murphy revealed that John Lewis is ‘modelling for scenarios where different sizes of shops … Read more
It’s shopping – but not as you know it: Changing rooms will be closed, trying on clothing will be banned, no couples or groups allowed and using cash to be ‘discouraged’ The recommendations have been published by the British Retail Consortium Stores have been asked to consider using one-way systems for customers They could also use … Read more
Belgium unveils plans to reopen all shops and schools within three weeks as India also begins easing world’s largest lockdown Belgium, Europe’s biggest death toll per capita, sketched out exit strategy India started relaxing lockdown of 1.3billion citizens to fire up flagging economy It jars with approach in Britain where the government deflects calls for … Read more
Millions of key workers are facing a rush to secure a coronavirus test this morning as applications re-open after a ‘significant’ surge in demand yesterday. Some 5,000 home kits and 19,000 drive-through tests are expected to be made available on Saturday – with key workers asked to fill out an online application form as the government … Read more
The Treasury is planning to ‘get Britain back to work’ in a matter of weeks with new health and safety rules to be enforced in offices, it has been reported. Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been look at way to start allowing non-essential businesses to reopen in a ‘safe and practical way’, keeping coronavirus out of … Read more
McDonald’s could become the latest big firm to re-open after closing its doors following the outbreak of coronavirus, as Britain edges back to business despite strict restrictions remaining in place. The fast food giant, which is already operation again in coronavirus-stricken France, is in talks about opening its 1,249 restaurants across the UK, according to … Read more
Housebuilders were stacking up gains yesterday as investors hoped construction workers would soon be heading back to work. Taylor Wimpey was the top riser on the FTSE 100 after it said it was still selling homes virtually, adding its order book was at £2.7billion at the end of last week, up from £2.4billion the same … Read more
Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee are the latest states to restart their economies and ease coronavirus lockdown restrictions. The governor of Georgia said some businesses will be allowed to reopen as early as Friday, while South Carolina will permit some businesses to restart on Tuesday. Tennessee says businesses can open again next week. Texas became the … Read more
Major casino operator says Las Vegas should open by Memorial Day with temperature checks, reduced occupancy, social distancing and no large gatherings Wynn Resorts Chief Executive Officer Matt Maddox called on Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak to reopen the Las Vegas Strip in mid- to late May Maddox urged the governor to reopen the thoroughfare with extensive … Read more