High streets to re-open on 12th April as part of ‘cautious’ roadmap
Cabinet Office releases full details of how England will emerge from Covid restrictions including how shops and pubs can open their doors again.
Estate agents will no longer be working in branches largely surrounded by empty shops after the government confirmed last night that high streets are to be allowed to re-awaken from their Covid slump on April 12th.
The announcement revealed that all non-essential retail, personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings will all be able to throw their doors open, including libraries and community centres.
Pubs and restaurants will also be able to serve drinks outside without customers being required to buy a meal with their beverages.
Last night’s announcement means estate agencies largely lonely vigil on many high streets, along with supermarkets and other essential retail, is now over.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick also last night revealed a £56 million ‘welcome back’ programme to fund facelifts for high streets across England’s towns.
This will include funding for street planting, parks, green spaces and seating areas to make high streets as ‘beautiful and welcoming as possible’.
21st June
The money will also be used to ensure people can shop safely as the Covid restriction continue until 21st June, which is when Ministers expect the last social contact restriction to be lifted.
“As soon as the roadmap allows, we need to get behind our local businesses and enjoy all that this country has to offer and that we’ve been missing so much,” says housing secretary Robert Jenrick.
Separate research published at the same time by property industry platform The Landsite reveals that two-thirds of the British public are keen to get back to local high street.
Read more about government action on high streets.
