// Retailers and landlords have united to deliver extended store opening hours
// The government has confirmed that all retail – essential and non-essential – will be able to open from today
// The BRC, British Property Federation and Revo are supporting retailers who want to open for longer
Retailers and property owners are working together to deliver extended store opening times in the run up to Christmas.
The government has confirmed that all retail – essential and non-essential – will be able to open from today and remain open no matter what Tier operates locally.
Shops on high streets can usually open without needing agreement from anyone, although shops in shopping centres and retail parks are expected to work collaboratively with the owner or operator to extend opening hours.
READ MORE:
- M&S to extend opening hours until midnight in time for Christmas
- Tesco to implement 24-hour opening times in over 300 stores
The BRC, British Property Federation and Revo are supporting retailers who want to open for longer, and they are calling on all their respective members to engage early to enable it to happen.
The organisations are now calling on their members to do the following:
• If retailers want to operate longer opening hours, they should contact shopping centre owners/operators to inform them of their plans as soon as possible
• Owners/operators of retail locations should contact retailers to inform them of what longer opening hours are possible
• Owners/operators of retail locations should assess how many and which retailers actually want to operate longer hours in this period
• Owners should apportion any additional costs (e.g. security, cleaning, essential maintenance) incurred as a result of longer opening among those retailers that want to open for longer through their service charges, which should be paid as normal
“We want make it as easy as possible for everyone to get the Christmas shopping they need over the next three weeks,” BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said.
“Retailers want to serve their customers and spread the demand, giving flexibility for shoppers about when and how they shop. We’d encourage people to shop during less busy hours where possible and try to avoid leaving it to the last minute.”
BPF chief executive Melanie Leech said: “Extended opening hours in December will provide a positive boost for non-essential retail in the run up to Christmas – giving shoppers more time, keeping them safe and ensuring their experience is as comfortable as possible – and property owners will want to support.
“If a retailer would like to benefit from the extended opening hours, this will require engaging as soon as possible with shopping centre owners and operators to ensure centres can fund and provide the necessary additional cleaning services and security.”
Revo chief executive Vivienne King said: “We welcome the government’s move to extend opening hours to help save Christmas for our shops, shop staff and customers and we feel sure owners, operators and occupiers will work together to make this work for all concerned.
“With shoppers set to return in numbers, preparation needs to be underway to ensure centres and retail places are ready to welcome them in.”
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