IN TIERS AGAIN

Nation returns to local restrictions with North East at toughest level

■ Overwork concerns for shop staff as stores reopen

■ Jobs hang in balance as high street chains collapse

■ Region’s pub bosses dismiss PM’s ‘embarrassing’ £1,000 pledge

BUSINESSES which plan to be open up to 24 hours a day in December and January are being asked to consult with staff and unions to ensure the well-being of workers.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Monday all retailers will be given a special dispensation to extend their opening hours over the next two months to help them recoup trade they lost during the lockdown. Usually, businesses have to apply to councils if they wish to open outside of 9am to 7pm.

Primark has already announced it will keep its Metrocentre store open for 24 hours in December and other retailers are expected to follow. Beth Farhat, regional secretary for the Northern TUC, said: “Employers should work with staff and their unions to work out how to cover any extra hours.

“Many workers will appreciate the extra pay. Others have responsibilities outside work, such as childcare. No one should be forced to work more hours than they want for fear they will not get the shifts they need in future.”

The Usdaw union’s general secretary Paddy Lillis said: “This measure is insignificant compared to the substantial issues the retail industry faces. Longer opening hours will not fix the crisis on our high streets. The Government’s announcement does not address the potential concerns of retail workers.

“They are already going to be verybusy in the run-up to Christmas after a four-week lockdown.

“We are urging employers to safeguard staff welfare. We also call on shoppers to follow the rules, be patient, but most of all ‘keep your cool’ and respect shop workers.”

He added: “2020 has been a terrible year for the High Street, with more than 230,000 retail jobs lost and more than 20,000 shops permanently shut. Each one of those job losses is a personal tragedy for the individual worker and store closures are scarring our communities.

“What retail needs is a tripartite approach of unions, employers and government working together to develop a recovery plan.

“The Government needs to level the playing field on taxation between online and the High Street, reform business rates which are strangling so many businesses and enable councils to breathe new life into town centres.”