Coming soon... shop till 10pm to help out

SHOPS will be able to stay open until 10pm six days a week to turbocharge the high street and help the economy recover.

Robert Jenrick announced that from April 12, extended daily opening hours will be introduced when non-essential retail reopens its doors.

The Communities Secretary said this would help ensure the safe reopening of non-essential shops by giving people greater flexibility to avoid peak times and easing transport pressures.

Last night he told the Mail: ‘Our high streets and town centres are the heart of our communities. Yet over the last year they have mostly fallen silent, with many of our cherished high streets struggling as lockdown and social distancing measures have taken their toll.

‘That’s why we’re determined to do everything we can to support the safe reopening of our shopping areas as we cautiously move out of lockdown.’

As part of the £56million ‘Welcome Back’ fund announced last week, Mr Jenrick is encouraging councils to continue supporting social distancing measures and relaxing planning rules where possible.

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.

The arrangements will last until June 21, when lockdown is due to end – although this could be extended.