Many non-essential shops across Essex have reopened today, including Primark, Next, Zara, M&S, Goldsmiths, River Island and Top Shop.
Stores are offering huge discounts to lure shoppers back and the government is hoping the lifting of restrictions will help the economy bounce back after three months of lockdown.
And they maybe right, with huge queues of shoppers forming outside stores such as Primark from 8am this morning.
Shops opening today will offer hand sanitiser stations and limit the number of people allowed through the door at one time. Handling items will be discouraged and items tried-on or returned will be quarantined for up to 72 hours. There will also be a plea not to use cash.
Research from American Express has found that seven in ten (72%) independent retailers that closed their doors in March are planning to open.
The majority of small retailers (89%) felt confident they could make the necessary adjustments to keep customers safe.
Just over one-third (34%) of retailers thought they would be trading at pre-lockdown levels by December 2020, rising to 56% who felt they would be back to normal by the end of 2021.
All shops in England are allowed to open, however hairdressers, nail bars and beauty salons, pubs, clubs and restaurants will remain closed until at least July. This is because the government says the risk of transmission is higher in these places, with greater person-to-person contact over longer periods.
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