Summary

  • Shops across England selling non-essential goods are welcoming back customers from today as the unlocking of the High Street begins.

  • Thousands of of people queue outside of Primark stores across England

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged people to "shop with confidence".

  • Retailers are required to introduce plastic screens at the tills and floor markings to keep shoppers two metres (6ft 5ins) apart.

  • Updates on Monday, 15 June

Live Reporting

Jennifer Meierhans, Jay Vydelingum, Rob England and Chris Heard

  1. 'It's very exciting to be returning to work'

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News

    "It's very exciting, we can't wait to have our customers back," says Annie Martin, who manages the Waterstones Piccadilly bookshop, in London.

    The store has introduced Perspex "sneeze screens" and a quarantine trolley where books that have been browsed will be held for "a couple of days".

    Annie Martin

    "We want to keep bookshop experience exactly as it normally would be," says Annie. "We're still encouraging people to browse, we're just looking after those books once you've browsed them."

    Annie has been working on implementing those changes behind-the-scenes, but is also looking forward to seeing her colleagues back in-store.

    "Bookshops are quite close teams," she said. "We've been messaging, but it's not quite the same as seeing colleagues in person for a chat, particularly about the books you've been reading on furlough."

  2. Face coverings compulsory on public transport in England

    facemasks on transportGetty Images

    As the shops reopen, new rules are also coming in for anyone travelling on public transport in England to wear a face covering from today.

    More than 3,000 extra staff including police officers are being deployed at stations to make sure people comply.

    Passengers without a covering will be asked to wear one, or will face being refused onboard or fined £100.

    Read the full article here.

  3. Which major chains are reopening?

    Daniel Wainwright
    BBC England Data Unit

    2 metre signPA Media

    Shoppers will need to adhere to rules on social distancing

    Here are some of the major High Street chains starting to open their doors.

    • John Lewis will start by opening 13 branches in stages
    • Next will reopen just 25 of its 500 stores at first
    • Debenhams will reopen 50 stores in England
    • Marks and Spencer will open all its shops in England
    • JD Sports is reopening all 309 of its stores in England
    • Primark is reopening all 153 of its stores in England
    • Argos, which has kept outlets in Sainsbury's stores open, will reopen 145 standalone stores for click and collect
    • Topshop is reopening all its stores in England

  4. Mary Portas: 'This is a window of opportunity for High Streets'

    Emma Simpson
    Business correspondent

    With non-essential shops in England reopening, retail expert Mary Portas talks to me about how the coronavirus outbreak will impact the UK's shopping habits.

    It could have a positive effect on shops in local High Streets, she says.

  5. Retailers welcome back customers after three months

    Shops in England selling non-essential goods can reopen from today for the first time in almost three months.

    Retailers have had to introduce strict safety measures and the High Street experience will be very different.

    Mannequins in a shop window

    Amid fears about the health of the UK economy, getting a key part of the service sector running again is vital. But retail experts warned shops were unlikely to see any immediate relief.

    Boris Johnson has urged people to "shop with confidence".

  6. Good morning

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News

    Thank you for joining me as shops reopen across England.

    I'll take you through what socially distanced shopping is like and which shops have the biggest queues.

    I'll bring you expert analysis on the impact of restarting retail on the economy.

    And if you've hit the shops today you can share your experience with me on email or Twitter.