Boris Johnson

NI extends lockdown until 1 April but click and collect widened

The Stormont Executive has announced it will extend the current lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland until 1 April. However, first minister Arlene Foster did reveal that more non-essential retail businesses will be able to resume click and collect services from 8 March. The scope of those allowed to operate click…

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Tier 4 will bring ‘severe’ consequences to retail sector, warns BRC

Retail will face “severe” consequences in light of heightened restrictions across much of the UK, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned.  It comes after prime minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that Tier 4 restrictions would be introduced in London and the South East, effective from yesterday (20 December).   Under Tier…

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PM outlines Covid Winter Plan

Boris Johnson has unveiled his ‘Covid Winter Plan’ in the House of Commons this afternoon, whilst outlining England’s return to a three tier system. He confirmed that national restrictions in England will end on 2 December and will “not be renewed”. This will mean that non-essential retail, gyms and the…

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Government to confirm reopening of non-essential retail

The government is today (23 November) set to confirm that all non-essential retail in England will be permitted to reopen next week, following a four-week lockdown over November.  According to Sky News, Boris Johnson is set to make an announcement later this afternoon, where he is expected to lay out…

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Manchester moved into Tier three

Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced that Manchester will be placed into Tier 3 Covid-19 restrictions, after talks between mayor Andy Burnham and the UK government collapsed. As a result of being placed under Tier 3, pubs and restaurants must close unless they are supplying substantial meals and outside household…

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PM unveils three-tiered lockdown system

Prime minister Boris Johnson this afternoon announced a new three-tier lockdown system that will see some hospitality businesses in the North-West forced to close from Wednesday. Under the new system, different rules for regions will be classified as being on ‘medium’, ‘high’ or ‘very high’ alert depending on the rate…

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Latest Covid-19 restrictions now legal requirements, PM says

Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced a series of new measures to curb the increase in coronavirus cases, including making Covid-secure rules for businesses a legal requirement.  Retail and indoor hospitality staff will also be legally required to wear masks while working.  The penalty for not wearing a mask or…

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Mike Ashley warns PM of rates review delay

Retail tycoon Mike Ashley has reportedly written to prime minister Boris Johnson warning of the “disastrous consequences” if the government doesn’t conduct a review of the current business rates system.  According to The Times, in a joint letter with Fraser CFO Chris Wootton, Ashley warned that without action he believes…

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PM confirms relaxation of two-metre social distancing rule

Boris Johnson has announced a reduction in the two-metre social distancing rule. In a speech in parliament this afternoon, the PM said that while maintaining at least a two-metre distance is still “recommended where possible”, the official guidance will be updated to recommend “one-metre-plus” where necessary, if “mitigations” such as…

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Non-essential retailers set to open in June

Thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres across England are set to reopen next month once they are “Covid-19 secure” and can show customers will be kept safe, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. All non-essential retailers including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics,…

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