A host of shops that closed during the first lockdown but are now classed as ‘essential’ have kept their doors open as the nation enters a second shutdown.
As seen under the first lockdown restrictions, all non-essential retailers were forced to close from Thursday.
But under new lockdown rules a raft of shops have newly been classed as essential, including craft and bargain stores.
Stationery store Rymans has remained open, and Timpson stores are also welcoming customers.
Robert Dyas and Wilko stores have also not been forced to shut under the current lockdown restrictions.
Laundrettes and dry cleaners are also classed as an essential service and allowed to continue serving customers.
Alternative health shops are also classed as essential under the lockdown guidelines.
Alternative health chain Holland and Barrett has 765 UK stores and counts as an essential retailer because its products cater for people with special dietary needs
Ryman’s stationery stores are also open during the second lockdown across the UK
The Almond and Raisins Health Food store in Newcastle’s historic Grainger Market has its doors open after remaining closed during the first lockdown
Holland and Barrett stores have stayed open and customers are welcome to come in and browse the shelves for healthy food, vitamins and supplements.
The alternative health chain has over 750 UK stores and counts as an essential retailer because its products cater for people with special dietary needs.
The chain also remained open during the first lockdown as they are classed as a food retailer.
Safety measures in store include customer limits, sanitising stations, protective screens and protective wear for colleagues.
Anthony Houghton, Group Retail and Property Director,said: ‘The health of our colleagues and customers is our biggest priority, and our stores have social distancing measures in place to help everyone in our stores feel as safe as possible.’
Other independent health food chains are also open to the public.
The Almond and Raisins Health Food store in Newcastle’s historic Grainger Market has its doors open after remaining closed during the first lockdown.
The shop sells a range of products including minerals and supplements, and aromatherapy and eco-household products.
Store manager Elizabeth Kemp said they had seen a few customers come in on the first day of the second national lockdown.
Robert Dyas stores are also welcoming customers in their high street stores around the UK
The Wilko shop on London’s Kensington High Street was also open this morning as the second lockdown began in the UK
She said: ‘We’ve had a few people in, even though the Grainger Market is quite quiet.
‘We are a health food store – a bit like Holland and Barrett but we’re independent.
‘We were pleased to be included in the list of essential stores that could remain open because so many people rely on us.
‘They prefer to come to us than go to the main chain stores in the Eldon Square shopping centre.
James Timpson, the Chief Exececutive of the Timpson Group, confirmed on social media that his stores would remain open
Timpson cobblers are open, although the chain’s chief executive says he expects sales will be lower
‘One elderly lady has been coming to our shop since it opened 40 years ago, and she buys senna pods which she has always taken since she was a little girl.’
James Timpson, the Chief Exececutive of the Timpson Group, confirmed on social media that his stores would remain open during the second lockdown.
The Timpson chain are cobblers that also provide dry cleaning, phone repairs, key cutting and locksmith services in some of their stores.
Mr Timpson said that altough their stores will remain open he expects lower sales than normal.
He said: ‘In England virtually all our shops will be stay open in this lockdown as we offer essential services, but sales will be lower I suspect by some margin.’
Rymans stationery stores have also remained open.
Their website reads: ‘We provide essential services and we’re open for business as usual.’
It adds: ‘Ryman provides essential services such as DHL, Post Offices and Western Union money transfers and our stores will remain open for business as usual during November.’
The chain’s website lists a number of covid safety requirements such as asking customers to maintain social distancing and pay with card where possible.
Shops are allowed to open under current restrictions as long as they can operate in a Covid-secure way and follow Covid-secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers.
The Health Food co in Leeds is open during the second lockdown. It was open during the shutdown earlier this year but owner Geoff Millington, 67, says this lockdown feels different
Mr Millington also owns a separate health food store in York which remains open to the public
Geoff Millington, 67, who owns two health food shops in Leeds and one in York, said he feels like this lockdown is different for customers.
His stores remained open during the first lockdown as they sell food, like nuts and oats.
Mr Millington, who owns The Health Food Co and Millies in Leeds, and a separate health food store in York, said: ‘There’s certainly more people around than during the last lockdown.
‘People understand the virus this time a bit better, and they are not as scared about it.
‘I’ve just walked around Leeds to see what is open and this time round I’ve noticed places like Costa coffee is open and places are open for takeaways.
‘There’s actually a newsagent open selling tobacco and stuff – I was surprised.
‘The streets are slightly busier than last time, but its a stark contrast to this week as the last three days have felt like it’s Christmas.’