Halfords to reopen all stores

Halfords is set to fully reopen 53 stores after a successful trial of physical-distancing measures on its shop floors.

The bike and car parts retailer said that the reopenings follow successful tests at its Peterborough and Bristol Cribbs Causeway stores. It will be the first time Halfords customers will be allowed in store since the UK lockdown started on 23 March. Among the sites reopening are Gloucester, Huddersfield, Inverness and North Shields.

The physical-distancing measures being implemented include queuing marshals outside stores, “sneeze screens” for shoppers and staff and customers being asked not to handle or try on products. The decision comes a day after the government said most non-essential retailers could reopen from 15 June.