The KBSA has confirmed that its interpretation of the current legislation and information that it received during the last lockdown from BEIS – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – remains the same, and it continues to advise retailers that they are able to remain open during the current lockdown.
However, it has issued fresh advice for any retailers who are questioned by the authorities as to why they are open, or if they are subsequently requested to close. It stated: "If any KBSA member is asked to close by trading standards then the KBSA will engage with the relevant local authority, trading standards and any other Government body on their behalf."
For retailers who are not KBSA members it added: "If a retailer is not a KBSA member then we would advise that the retailer looks to see if any local Wren, Howdens or Wickes stores are open, and uses this as a basis to have further discussions with the authority that is asking them to close."
It cautioned that retailers who choose to remain open must ensure they operate within the current Government safety guidelines. "Above all the advice is to ensure that retailers adhere to all Health & Safety rules and regulations relating to COVID-19, and that it is also their own decision to stay open or to close."
