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The clothing, homeware and gift stores open in lockdown

Paloma Kubiak
Written By:
Posted:
04/11/2020
Updated:
04/11/2020

As lockdown in England takes hold tomorrow for a month, all non-essential stores will be required to close. But some stores which can remain open may surprise you.

From Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, England will enter lockdown, restricting where we can shop and what we can do.

As part of the measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, non-essential stores must close.

But a number of stores selling beauty goods, gifts, clothing, homeware and toys will remain open.

Here’s a list:

Boots: While pharmacies and healthcare are essential services, Boots also stocks a number of goods which don’t fall into your typical ‘essential’ list.

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However, Boots confirmed that customers will have access to baby, beauty and Christmas gifts and toiletries, as well as prescriptions, medicines, healthcare, Boots Opticians and Hearingcare services.

B&M: The store sells a range of goods including food, homeware, toys and gifts. B&M confirmed it is considered an essential retailer so it will be open as usual, as in the first national lockdown.

Home Bargains: Similar to B&M in terms of product range, Home Bargains will stay open as usual as it’s considered essential. It confirms there are no product restrictions or planned changes to opening times.

M&S: The clothing and food retailer has announced some closures while other stores will remain open. Standalone clothing and home stores as well out outlets will be closed, as will in-store cafes.

However, food halls and stores which offer a combination of food and non-food products will remain open, in line with government guidance as a permitted business.

But, where there are combined stores with multiple floors, M&S said the upper floors will close so that it “operates in the spirit of the guidance”.

It has just launched the Sparks Book & Shop service which enables customers to book a shopping slot online to avoid having to queue in store.

Poundland: The chain will remain open during lockdown as it said it’s “business as usual”. A spokesperson said: “We stepped up to serve communities earlier in the year and we’ll do so again – what’s even stronger this time around is that we have more of what customers need under one roof. More stores with chilled and frozen food. More stores with essential clothing. More stores with essential homewares.” 

Poundstretcher: A tweet from Poundstretcher confirmed it’s business as usual as it will remain open as an essential store.

Savers: A statement read: “As an essential retailer, we will once again keep our doors open to support local communities with essential products throughout the second lockdown”.

Superdrug: An email to customers from CEO Peter Macnab, read: “I’m pleased that we will continue to be supporting our local communities as an essential retailer, although our Beauty Services will be required to close”.

Wilkinsons: It confirms all 416 stores across the UK will remain open for essential shopping, including baby care, cleaning, hardware and DIY, health and personal care, household and pet care products.

However, it added that for non-essential items, such as Christmas gifting, decorations and preparation, decorating, entertaining, furniture and hobbies, shoppers are recommended to visit wilko.com, which offers home delivery nationwide.