Wednesday 27 May 2020 12:04 pm

John Lewis reveals first 13 stores to reopen next month

John Lewis Partnership is reportedly planning to axe 11,000 jobs over the next five years after slashing its redundancy pay for employees.

John Lewis has revealed further details of its plans to phase the reopening of its department stores, saying 13 shops will be open by 18 June.

The high street retailer announced today that its department stores in Poole and Kingston will reopen on 15 June, which is the first day non-essential retailers are allowed to reopen under the government’s lockdown easing plan.

A further 11 branches will open from 18 June with new social distancing and hygiene measures in place. The stores have been chosen because of their accessibility by car.

John Lewis said more of its 50 stores will open throughout the summer, depending on the response from customers and employees on the social distancing measures.

John Lewis chairman Sharon White said: “Our shops reopening is a sign of hope as we begin to find our new normal. There’s an opportunity, now, for us, to come back stronger as a business, and offer the safety and reassurance that customers will want.

“However, while we have experience of social distancing in our Waitrose shops, we will need to establish new ways of working in our department stores.

“We are taking this cautious approach to be able to learn as we go and to make sure that our shops are as safe as they can possibly be for our customers and partners.”