Selfridges’ two branches in Manchester, one in Birmingham and the landmark London branch will close at 7pm today. When they will reopen is unknown, but the retailer will continue to trade online.

Selfridges said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our customers and team members is our utmost priority and we must do the right thing by the communities in which we live and work to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to temporarily close our four physical stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester from 7pm this evening.”