Coronavirus: PM urges Brits to avoid pubs, clubs and theatres

Boris Johnson has warned that Brits should “avoid all unnecessary social contact”, “stop all unnecessary travel” and work from home if possible, under the government’s plans to slow the spread of the virus.

However, Johnson stopped short of mentioning shops specifically during his press conference, despite moves from a number of retailers across Europe to shutter their stores.

Over the weekend, Apple, Zara, Disney, Urban Outfitters and Patagonia all revealed they would be temporarily closing their shops in parts of Europe in response to the global pandemic.

A number of other brands, including Timberland, Vans and Carhartt, have since shut their shops in Central London.

Johnson said the ban on unnecessary travel and social contact could last “a minimum of weeks or months and, depending how it goes, it may be longer”.

But he did not provide any concrete measures to help businesses like pubs and restaurants that would be impacted by the new guidance.

Johnson said the government would “do everything we can to make sure they have the liquidity they need” to bounce back from the pandemic.

He added that he would look at “fiscal policy – the tax and spend system – to make sure businesses can come back from this”.

His words came at a time when pressure is increasingly mounting on the Conservatives to overhaul the current business rates system.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak promised in his Budget speech earlier this month that he would conduct a “fundamental review” of the tax ahead of the Autumn Statement.

John Bason, the finance boss of Primark’s parent company ABF, today urged the government to take action on rates sooner rather than later.

Primark has already been forced to close swathes of stores in Europe, which account for 20% of its selling space and 30% of revenue.

Bason told Retail Week: “Now maybe is the time for the government to consider business rates for all of retail. We’ve talked about this for some time and been part of BRC representations.”

It came after BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson issued a fresh call to action from Westminster over the weekend.

She said: “Retailers face an uphill struggle as a result of coronavirus. Fewer store visits, lower demand for many goods, and the possibility of further restrictive public health measures, all threaten the survival of shops and jobs.

“As businesses are squeezed many run the risk of liquidity issues, further harming their ability to operate. It is essential that the Treasury goes much further than the limited efforts outlined in the budget.”