Homebase is reopening 20 stores this weekend after lockdown closures – here’s the full list

HOMEBASE will reopen 20 of its stores this weekend after they closed four weeks ago due to coronavirus outbreak, the retailer said today.

The DIY store closed their stories at the end of March in an effort to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

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The home improvement retailer operated a click and collect over the last four weeks but customers found problems with the website.

The site was struggling to keep up with demand and customers were experiencing a delay.

A Homebase spokesperson said: "Our website is extremely busy and we’ve added extra measures to keep all our customers and teams safe, which means it’s taking us longer than usual to deliver customer orders.

"We really grateful for the continued support from our customers, team members and partners during this unusual time."

But that is set to change with people allowed back in some stores around the UK this weekend.

If the trial proves a success, then more stores will reopen.

Homebase chief executive Damian McGloughlin said: "With the safety of our customers and teams as our first priority, we took the decision to temporarily close our stores and operate online only.

"We have taken this time to carefully review and make a large number of changes to our operations in preparation for a safe, phased reopening, in line with Government guidance on social distancing."

According to the retailer: "We will be trialling the opening of 20 stores, with strict controls in place to ensure shopping is safe for everyone.

";Our remaining stores in the UK will continue to offer a collection and counter service."

This comes after Matt Hancock announced on Friday that businesses which have re-opened after shutting down were "never required to close."

The Health Secretary welcomed the move by firms to get people back to work amid signs Brits are growing tired of the shutdown.

Appearing on Sky News, Mr Hancock said companies were never required to shut down - so long as they could operate with adequate social-distancing.

He said: "The things that are restarting are things that we never required to close in the first place, but what the companies have been doing is working out how they can have safe working following the social distancing rules whilst people are at work.

"Throughout we've allowed hardware stores to stay open, and the construction industry, but what businesses have been doing is taking the last couple of weeks to work out 'ok how do you stay open and stay within the social-distancing rules at work?'

Hundreds were seen queuing outside a store in Ashfield, Notts, with people keen to carry out refurbishments while they stay at home.

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