Retail therapy and a few last pints: England readies for new lockdown

LONDON — Last-minute shoppers in England came out in force Wednesday and thirsty drinkers enjoyed their final freshly poured pints in a pub for the next month before Britain joins swaths of Europe in a coronavirus lockdown designed to save its health care system from being overwhelmed.

All non- essential venues — which in England includes pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, golf courses, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment places and stores selling items like books, clothing and sneakers — must close Thursday until at least Dec. 2. That order came after a sudden change of course last weekend by Britain’s government, which had for weeks been advocating a targeted regional response to the pandemic instead of another national lockdown.

Unlike the U.K.’s spring lockdown, schools and universities in England are remaining open this time, as are construction sites and factories.

In London’s Soho nightlife district, large crowds packed bars and pubs as many took the opportunity to have a drink with friends for the last time before restrictions begin.

“For me it was making the most of the last night I can go back to my community and have a night out,” said Phoebe Koor, 27. “I’ve got so many friends that work in hospitality and my heart is absolutely breaking for them that they’re not going to have a job.”

With time running out to get things sorted before the lockdown takes effect, many shops and hair salons extended their hours and reported brisk customer traffic on the last day.

London hairdresser Richard Ward said his team of around 100 will have worked through 1,400 customers in the three working days since the British government announced the England-wide lockdown. Still, that boost didn’t make up for a 25% weekly loss in income this year as a result of coronavirus restrictions already in place.

“The staff are working back to back, all days off have been canceled, all holidays have been canceled,” Ward said.