Hundreds of businesses across Herefordshire have entered their final day of trading prior to the month long lockdown that will come into place in England tomorrow.

Non-essential retail stores will close in England from this Thursday until 2 December 2020 as part of a new national lockdown introduced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Pubs, bars and restaurants will also be forced to close under the new rules, as well as leisure and entertainment venues, including gyms. Unlike the first national lockdown restrictions, schools, colleges and universities will stay open while construction sites and manufacturing workplaces are also allowed to continue operating.

There has been some confusion over which stores would be allowed to remain open during the lockdown. The list below gives a good indication of what will be allowed to remain open and what will be forced to close.

The following shops are expected to remain open during the lockdown:

Supermarkets

Newsagents

Off-licenses

Post Offices

Garden centres

Petrol stations

Pet shops

Pharmacies and health shops

Takeaways and food deliveries

Medical services such as dentists/opticians

Hotels, hostels and other accommodation – but only for those who have to travel for work purposes

Food banks and shelters

The following shops are expected to close during the lockdown:

Clothing shops

Footwear shops

Vehicle showrooms

Travel agents

Betting shops

Auction houses

Tailors

Tobacco shops

Vape shops

Hospitality and leisure facilities such as:

Restaurants

Bars

Pubs

Bowling alleys

Leisure centres

Water and theme parks

Gyms

Swimming pools

Golf courses and driving ranges

Dance studios

Stables and riding centres

Soft play facilities

Climbing walls and climbing centres

Theatres

Concert halls

Cinemas

Museums and galleries

Casinos

Adult gaming centres and arcades

Bingo halls

Botanical gardens

Zoos and other animal attractions

Personal care facilities such as:

Hair, beauty and nail salons

Tattoo parlours

Spas

Massage parlours

Body and skin piercing services

Tanning salons