// Matalan reopens 15 stores
// Reopenings come after change in government guidance that included homeware on essential retailers list
// 417 Matalan staff have reportedly returned to work and been taken off the government’s furlough scheme
Matalan has reportedly started to reopen stores in retail parks across England this week.
According to Drapers, the value retailer is reopening these stores based on a change in government guidance on May 1 that included homeware on the list of essential retailers in England that could open during the coronavirus lockdown.
Due to these reopenings, 417 Matalan staff have reportedly returned to work and have been taken off the government’s furlough scheme.
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The retailer added that the 15 stores in question feature strict health and safety measures, such as social distancing rules and PPE provided to staff.
A Matalan spokesperson said the stores are also “spacious” with large homeware departments, offer a click and collect service and are in retail parks or standalone locations where the retailer controls the car park.
Matalan could potentially reopen 168 stores based on the government guidance around homeware retailers.
The retailer has a total of 232 stores across the UK.
Matalan’s high street stores, stores in shopping centres, clearance stores and stores in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will remain closed.
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