Britons still flock to the shops for non-essential shopping

Britons continue to flout the criteria for essential shopping – as shoppers were today seen snapping up plants, drones, mirrors and pillows. In Plymouth, hundreds of shoppers were spotted at The Range, buying a variety of items not considered to be ‘basic necessities’. The Government has said people should only leave their homes for ‘very limited … Read more

Pressure for cafes and shops to reopen but government expert warns mass testing must come first

Ministers are today facing calls to start reopening schools, cafes and non-essential shops within weeks to avert an economic apocalypse – despite government experts warning that without mass testing it risks creating a second peak in the coronavirus outbreak. MPs and industry chiefs are heaping on pressure for an ‘exit strategy’ from the draconian curbs … Read more

Coffee shops, restaurants and estate agents will be ‘first to reopen’

Ministers will consign Britain to another three weeks of coronavirus lockdown today – as one of their own key experts condemned the government’s response and warned curbs cannot be eased until mass testing is in place.   Dominic Raab is set to confirm that the draconian will stay in place until at least mid-May after a … Read more

Shops like Currys, H&M and Topshop have stacks of stock to flog so now is the time to bag a bargain

No one knows what Britain’s High Street will end up looking like once the coronavirus pandemic subsides. Oasis and Warehouse have fallen into the hands of administrators with 2,300 jobs on the line, while the likes of Debenhams and Cath Kidson remain on the brink. Many of Britain’s retailers, and particularly those with bricks-and-mortar based … Read more

VICTORIA BISCHOFF: It’s time to give a shout out for the small shops

HALLELUJAH! After temporarily shutting, our favourite Italian restaurant in South London, Lo Paste Tradizionali, has reopened for collections and deliveries on Friday to Sunday. The place only launched last July, but we now can’t imagine our neighbourhood without it. What better way to show our support than by ordering mountains of homemade bavette al pesto … Read more