Timpson to close all 2,150 UK shops because of coronavirus
RETAILER Timpson is shutting all its UK shops by 5pm tomorrow because of the coronavirus epidemic.
The key cutting and shoe repair company confirmed the news in a tweet from its chief executive James Timpson today.
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Mr Timpson said all in-store staff will be paid while shops are closed.
The retailer, which started business in Manchester, has 2,150 stores across the UK.
Chief executive James Timpson said: “We are temporarily closing all our 2,150 shops by Monday, March 23, at 5pm, and going in to hibernation... We hope it won’t be for too long.
“All our wonderful colleagues will remain on full pay, and will look forward to seeing you when we re open. Thank you.”
Which brands are shutting up shop
HERE is the list of all the retailers that have said they are closing their doors thanks to coronavirus
- Boden - closing all stores
- Burton - closing all stores
- Calvin Klein - closing all stores
- Clarks - closing all stores
- Costa - closing all stores but will try to keep shops in hospitals open
- Dorothy Perkins - closing all stores
- Evans - closing all stores
- Fenwick - closing all stores
- H&M - closing all stores
- HMV - closing all stores
- IKEA - closing all stores
- John Lewis - closing all stores
- McDonald's - closing all stores
- Miss Selfridge - closing all stores
- Nando's - closing all stores
- Oxfam - closing all stores
- Patisserie Valerie - closing all stores
- Starbucks - closing all stores
- Sweaty Betty - closing all stores
- Timpson - closing all stores
- TK Maxx - closing all stores
- Topshop - closing all stores
- Wallis - closing all stores
The statement doesn't say when Timpson expects shops to open again, but it said the move will be temporary.
We've asked Timpson for more information and we'll update this article when we know more.
The Sun has also asked what this means for existing customer orders.
Timpson isn't the only retailer to close its doors due to the coronavirus epidemic.
H&M has closed all UK stores today because of COVID-19, while Topshop has shut stores leaving furious employees worried about pay.
Ikea has closed all 22 UK stores due to coronavirus, but customers can still shop online.
It comes as cases of coronavirus in the UK have jumped to 5,018 with 240 deaths reported at the time of writing.
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