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Newark town centre to reawaken as Boris Johnson announces non-essential shops to reopen from as early as June 1




All non-essential shops have been given the go ahead to reopen as of next month.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said outdoor markets and showrooms will be able to trade from as early as June 1, while all other non-essential retailers will have to wait until June 15.

Newark Market Place. (25498684)
Newark Market Place. (25498684)

These stores include shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, plus tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets.

It won't be as easy as just opening your shop doors again though. Employers are to face spot checks to ensure social distancing measures are followed and any workers and customers are safe.

Ian Harrison, the manager of Newark market, said: "We welcome the news and will be reopening the market from June 1 with various safe guards in place as the same way we are operating at the moment with the essential food stalls.

"There will be social distancing, more hand sanitisers and no touching any articles. "We are expecting to be getting back to the normal size of the market from Wednesday next week.

"These will include the previous traders and there will not be any tables or chairs ­— just take-aways.

"The craft and collectors market will begin on Monday but we are not expecting many traders.

"We have always considered that an outdoor shopping environment was safer and I think the government appears to agree."

Mr Johnson told the daily Downing Street press conference on Monday the risk of transmission was lower in outdoor areas, where social distancing could be easier to enforce.

Richard Gelsthorpe, of Pratt and Gelsthorpe, said the dealership had been closed since the end of March to protect staff and customers.

"Due to customer requirements, having taken calls throughout the lockdown period, we decided to reopen the services side of things on May 18," he said.

"Now we have permission to open the showroom side on June 1 and we will be taking all the safety measures and applying them to keep everybody as safe as possible."

Earlier this month, garden centres were permitted to reopen in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as part of the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

The Prime Minister said: “We will set out our formal assessment of the five tests that we set for adjusting the lockdown later this week as part of the three-weekly review we are legally required to undertake by Thursday.

Boris Johnson.
Boris Johnson.

“But because of the progress we are making I can, with confidence, put the British people on notice of the changes we intend to introduce as we move to step two.”

The announcement comes amidst a row over Mr Johnson's top advisor Dominic Cummings who faced public questioning on Monday over his movements during lockdown.

Mr Cummings admitted he travelled from London to Durham at the end of March and made a 30-mile test drive to check his eye sight after he and his wife had suffered from coronavirus symptoms.

Mr Johnson backed his top aid and said: "I think he acted reasonably, legally and with integrity."

Newark MP and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick also defended Mr Cummings' actions, writing on Twitter: "Dominic Cummings gave a full and open explantion and answered every question put.

Robert Jenrick. Credit: Number 10. (34644383)
Robert Jenrick. Credit: Number 10. (34644383)

"He acted in the best interests of his sick wife and young child. He put no one else at risk. He clearly did what he believed was reasonable and within the rules."



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