Easing Of Lockdown Sees Shops Beginning To Open

Here we are on June 1st 2020 and today is the day when such businesses as outdoor markets and car showrooms are being allowed to open again now lockdown is being slowly eased.

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Outdoor Markets & Car Showrooms Opening Today

Outdoor markets and car showrooms have been chosen first as they are businesses where it is easier to adhere to the social distancing guidelines. And as Covid-19 is a lot less likely to be caught out in the open air then it makes sense that outdoor markets should be one of the first non-essential businesses to reopen.

Big concerns such as Marks & Spencer and Ikea have confirmed that they are opening up their stores, saying that they are laying down strict social distancing measures, with areas such as clothes fitting and make-up remaining closed in M&S for the time being.

Businesses Must Be Covid Secure

However most high street shops, department stores and shopping centres will have to wait a further two weeks before they open for business on June 15th, providing of course there isn`t a steep increase in the number of infections between now and then. Also all businesses that do reopen will have to prove that they are Covid-secure and have taken all the necessary steps to prevent infection being passed around on their premises.

It will not be until at least July that businesses such as pubs, restaurants, clubs, hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons can open once again, these being the type of places where social distancing can be quite a challenge.

Businesses Must Get Back To Some Sort Of Normality

Of course these have certainly been challenging times for all businesses. Now the furlough scheme has been given an end date by the Chancellor in October, with a scaling down of payments by the government up to that time, it is vital that businesses can reopen and get back to some sort of normality as soon as possible. If they don`t then the possibility of wide scale redundancies is very much on the cards. This is very much make or break time for so many businesses, large and small.

As ever we are here to provide expert advice and support during this rocky time. If you need any advice on grants or loans which may be available for your business, or you need help with your short, medium and long term business plan then get in touch with our team here at WHR Accountants by ringing 028 3752 2909.