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Coronavirus: The shops and businesses allowed to stay open during England lockdown

Garden centres, corner shops and hardware stores are among the businesses allowed to stay open.

By Clare Sibthorpe, news reporter

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Tuesday 3 November 2020 19:40, UK

There will no quick return to life as we knew it
Image: Garden centres will be allowed to stay open
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With England set to go into lockdown on Thursday, the government has unveiled legislation governing which shops and businesses will be allowed to stay open.

Until 2 December, people will be urged to stay at home, while household mixing will be banned.

Non-essential retail will close, but according to new regulations these firms will be allowed to stay open:

  • Supermarkets, grocery stores and corner shops
  • Alcohol shops, including breweries
  • Dentists, opticians and audiology services
  • Chiropody, chiropractors, osteopaths
  • Other medical services, including mental health
dentists - going to the dentist backlog
Image: Dentists can keep seeing patients, unlike during the first lockdown
  • Newsagents and post offices
  • Garden centres
  • Hardware stores
  • Building stores and services
  • Petrol stations
  • Pharmacies and chemists
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Members of the public walk past a branch of Boots the chemist on Oxford Street on August 6, 2014 in London, England. US pharmacy chain 'Walgreens', who previously owned 45% of 'Alliance Boots' has announced a 9 billion GBP purchase of the remaining shares in the company. Boots currently have 2,487 stores across the UK and employ over 60,000 people. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)
Image: Pharmacies and chemists are considered essential shops
  • Car repair stores, MOT services and bike shops
  • Taxi and car hire businesses
  • Banks, building societies, credit unions and short-term loan providers
  • Savings clubs, cash points and currency exchange offices
  • Funeral directors
  • Laundrettes and dry cleaners
  • Vets and pet shops
  • Agricultural supplies shops

Storage and distribution places will stay open, including delivery drop off or collection points if they are inside a business that is allowed to keep running. Public toilets and carparks will also remain accessible.

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Some businesses are shutting their doors for good

And if you need a reminder, here are the businesses forced to shut - or stay closed - over the month-long lockdown:

  • Restaurants, bars and social clubs, including in hotels or members' clubs
  • Cafes, including workplace canteens except for certain places like schools, care homes and hospitals
  • Cinemas and theatres
  • Nightclubs, concert halls and dance halls
  • Gyms, dance studios, sports courts and swimming pools
  • Bowling alleys, amusement arcades, playgrounds and soft play areas
  • Casinos, bingo halls, betting shops and gaming centres
Gyms can now reopen across Tier 3 areas in England
Image: Gyms will be forced to close yet again
  • Museums and galleries
  • Spas and massage parlours
  • Nail, beauty salons, hair salons and barbers
  • Tanning salons
  • Sexual entertainment venues
  • Tattoo and piercing parlours
  • Skating rinks, water parks and adventure activities
  • Outdoor markets, except for livestock and selling food