Here’s what counts as a non-essential shop - and if hairdressers are included

Boris Johnson announced in his daily coronavirus briefing on Monday (25 May) that non-essential shops would be able to reopen from 15 June in England as the country begins to ease lockdown restrictions.

Non essential shops temporarily closed due to lockdown on 23 March, and many retailers have suffered as a result, with clothes shops like Warehouse and Oasis going out of business.

But what counts as a non-essential shop, and which ones will be reopening? Here’s what you need to know.

Which shops will be reopening in June?

Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen from 1 June, with all other non-essential retailers allowed to reopen in England from 15 June.

The Prime Minister said: “From 15 June, we intend to allow all other non-essential retail – ranging from department stores to small independent shops – to reopen.

“Again, this change will be contingent upon progress against the five tests and will only be permitted for those retail premises which are Covid-secure.”

Non-essential retailers include shops selling clothes, toys, furniture, shoes, books, electronics, alongside tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets.

However, hairdressers and nail salons are non included in this and are not expected to open until July at the earliest.

Although it was originally thought that hairdressers could be among the first businesses to reopen, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab revealed that they will not open in England until at least July.