The NEW Essentials: How Home Bargains, B&Q and Halfords and Hobbycraft will remain open or operate click-and-collect service over lockdown
Craft and bargain stores are among those able to stay open or keep selling goods during the UK’s second lockdown – as new rules were revealed on the new breed of essential shops.
As tomorrow’s shutdown hurtled ever closer, businesses from across the nation today told how they would be able to keep going during the restrictions.
And among them were some – and perhaps surprising – new additions offering services they were unable to first time around.
In what could be shrewd move to help families bored at home, Hobbycraft is now offering a click and collect service for customers.
Hobbycraft is keeping up a click & collect service for customers during the second lockdown
Halfords is classed as an essential retail shop so is allowed to still stay open during November
Toolstation was open during the first lockdown and confirmed it would be the same this time
It told MailOnline today: ‘Stores in England will be closed from 8pm on November 4 and are scheduled to reopen on December 2.
‘Click & Collect will be available from stores in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
‘It is new for this time round. It wasn’t available in the first lockdown but will be this time in line with the government guidelines.’
Bargain stores B&M and low price store Poundland are both expecting to stay open during the second lockdown.
They both sell essential items so fall within the rules laid out by the government.
Poundland said: ' We're open for you throughout November.
Poundland sells items classed as essential so is able to stay open during the second lockdown
Home Bargains will be open to customers to shop inside during the second lockdown period
B&Q said its UK and Ireland stores will stay open, with controls and social distancing measures
'With even more of the essentials you need under one roof, we’re ready for when you need us.'
Home Bargains stores will also stay open during the second lockdown,as they did in the first.
Hardware and decorating outlet B & Q have also confirmed they will be open during the shutdown period.
A spokesperson said: 'As an essential retailer, our stores across the UK and Ireland will remain open, with strong controls and strict social distancing measures in place.'
Those wanting to get sporty during the period can also take advantage of Halford's being open.
It has been classed as an essential retailer and have various measures in place to keep Covid-safe.
There were huge queues outside the Primark store in Sunderland this morning
Members of the public queuing at IKEA in Greenwich in south east London this morning
Scores of eager shoppers queued outside Primark in Newcastle city centre this morning
What are the rules for shops from Thursday?
Shops that can stay open:
Shops that must shut (including but not limited to):
They have put extensive social distancing measures in place and even have a built bike delivery service for customers that don’t want to go into stores
The shop is also offering a contactless mobile expert, where their vans - described as 'garages on wheels' = can visit customers at home
Others have put in one-way systems for shoppers as well as plenty of hand sanitiser and social distancing measures.
The story is the same at Toolstation stores that are going to remain open seven days a week across the UK as an essential retailer.
A spokeswoman said: 'Continuing to operate with enhanced safety and social distancing measures in place to safely provide tools and more to our customers, who can purchase directly in store or through our click and collect service.'
But the Mike Ashley-owned Sports Direct were tight-lipped today over their plans.
It was in stark contrast to the first lockdown when they insisted they sold essential goods and should stay open, before eventually backing down.
They did not respond to a MailOnline request as to whether their stores would be opening tomorrow.
The impending lockdown had sparked some pockets of panic-buying in the UK.
Shelves were bare in aisles at Asda in Cambridge and Tesco in Ely in Cambridgeshire earlier this week.
Home delivery slots were also getting booked up, with many customers struggling to get slots.
Hundreds of customers have also been seen lining up to get into stores, including Sainsbury's and wholesalers Costco.
Primark - which will have to close under lockdown - also saw queues outside its flagship Oxford Street store.
A retail worker at fashion chain Bershka's Oxford Street store told MailOnline: 'It has been really busy. It was half term as well so I don't think it's all been due to the lockdown.
'But this weekend has been busier.'
Meanwhile, staff in a Zara shop just yards down the road said it has been 'much more busy' in recent days as the Government's announcement sent people's Christmas shopping plans into chaos.
Key points in COVID lockdown Mark 2
Pints ordered by text, football at school but not at clubs, and 30 guests at funerals but only six for weddings: The odd new rules we face in the new lockdown
By JASON GROVES and CLAIRE ELLICOT FOR THE DAILY MAIL
If you're sad about not being able to drink at your local pub during the new lockdown, there is a way to drown your sorrows at home – order your pints via post instead!
Official regulations confirmed pubs and restaurants, hairdressers and most shops will have to close from midnight tonight, provided MPs approve Boris Johnson's lockdown plans tonight.
But an 11th hour U-turn means pubs can now keep some kind custom going, as long as drinkers order by phone or website.
They will not be allowed inside the premises but will be able to turn up to collect their alcohol.
The detailed second lockdown legislation revealed the curious anomalies when they were finally put out last night.
Pubs will be able to sell takeaway drinks to customers who order online or by phone, text or post (stock image used)
The quirks of the new lockdown rules
What are the rules for takeaway drinks from pubs?
In an 11th hour move last night, the Government decided pubs could open for takeaway drinks.
In a relaxation of the original plans expected to start tomorrow, punters will be able to collect pre-ordered alcohol - on the condition they do not enter a pub or bars' premises.
The drink must be ordered via a website, phone or text message while venues can also deliver beverages.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, told the BBC: 'Takeaway alcohol from pubs if it is pre-ordered and customers don't enter the premises is movement, but still not anywhere near enough.
'Supermarkets and off-licences can still sell alcohol, so this is grossly unfair on pubs with off-licences. It remains the case that to help pubs and brewers survive, and to stop up to 7.5 million pints from being wasted, the government needs to give pubs the same ability to sell off-licence alcohol as it did in the first lockdown.'
What are the rules and punishments?
The complex rules, enforced by fines of up to £10,000 tripped up two Cabinet ministers yesterday.
Michael Gove was forced to apologise after wrongly suggesting people could play tennis and golf with one other person – both sports are in fact banned.
And Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick wrongly said a family could meet up with a friend in the park.
Downing Street confirmed only one adult can meet up with another adult from a different household outside unless they are in a support bubble.
Children will be permitted to play football and other team sports at school under a number of curious anomalies (stock image used)
The Rules of Sups: How to get pub drinks in the second lockdown
The government has u-turned on pubs a day before the second national lockdown comes in to allow them to sell takeaway drinks.
New rules state that drinkers can order their tipple through websites, phone of text and collect at the door.
They are not allowed to go inside the premises, in the move which has been hailed by some pubs and bars.
But some were unhappy they were unable to operate in the same way shops do, with walk-up custom prohibited under the regulations.
They want the facility to be there so they can act similarly to a takeaway, which was how things operated in the first lockdown.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association said: 'Takeaway alcohol from pubs if it is pre-ordered and customers don't enter the premises is movement, but still not anywhere near enough.
'Supermarkets and off-licences can still sell alcohol, so this is grossly unfair on pubs with off-licences. It remains the case that to help pubs and brewers survive, and to stop up to 7.5 million pints from being wasted, the government needs to give pubs the same ability to sell off-licence alcohol as it did in the first lockdown.'
Kate Nichols, of lobby group UK Hospitality, said: 'It is a welcome and helpful clarification that pubs and restaurants will be permitted to continue with off-licence sales of alcohol through delivery, as well as click and collect for pre-ordered sales.
'This was a lifeline to many businesses in the first lockdown and it is good to see common sense prevail this time too - avoiding waste and providing a valuable community service - although we can see no reason why a pub could not operate as a retail outlet for pre-packaged food and drink as many did last time.'
Although pubs and restaurants will be allowed to sell take away food, Downing Street had previously said they would be banned from selling alcoholic drinks to take away.
However, the new regulations state pubs will be able to sell drinks to takeaway customers, provided they have been ordered via a website or by telephone, text or post.
The move was welcomed last night by the Society of Independent Brewers, which said that small brewers and pubs had 'proven their ability to trade responsibly during Covid'.
Can I go to work?
Everyone who can work from home must do so.
Those who can’t can continue going into work.
What are the rules for schools?
People are allowed to attend school, university or another place of education or training.
This also means there is scope for at-home teaching and tutoring, such as music lessons, but the government has advised a move to online teaching where possible.
Secondary school pupils and teachers in England could also be told to wear masks on the premises.
Children will be permitted to play football and other team sports at school, but banned from playing with schoolmates at local clubs.
What are the rules on sport?
Ministers faced a growing backlash over the clampdown on sport.
Pupils cannot play football and other team sports outside of school despite evidence the virus doesn't spread well in children.
The rules prompted anger among sports figures who argue they are 'nonsensical' and pose a threat to children's health.
Yesterday, sports figures led opposition to the Government's ban on children playing sports outside school.
Football pundit Robbie Savage branded the plans 'nonsensical' as he said there were inconsistencies in allowing children to mix during school but not while playing grassroots sports at the weekend.
And Damian Collins, who was previously chairman of the digital, culture, media and sport committee, urged the Government to reconsider its position.
Funerals will be allowed to go ahead with up to 30 guests under new lockdown rules (stock image used)
He said: 'If we recognise that children are better off in school, even with Covid, then I think we should recognise they're better off doing grassroots sports than... being stuck at home.
The PM's official spokesman said: 'Sport is permitted in school settings. In terms of outside, we do need to reduce transmission from households mixing.
'As soon as can resume grassroots sports for children, we will.'
What are the rules on outdoor venues?
Nature lovers will be allowed to visit parks and gardens, including paid-entry venues like the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Wisley in Surrey.
But they will be banned from visiting many botanical gardens and sculpture parks.
However, Kew Gardens in south-west London, said it will remain open – though its buildings, including glasshouses, will be shut.
Can I visit my second home?
People will be banned from visiting second homes unless they need to carry out work required for the potential sale or rental of the property.
What about funerals and weddings?
Funerals will be allowed to go ahead with up to 30 guests, but weddings will be limited to six people.
Can I leave the country?
No. The government is advising against all but essential international travel and only for work. However, reasons for travel will not be checked.
Travel within the country is also discouraged.