Department store group Selfridges is to shut its stores, including its Oxford Street flagship, at close of business this evening to play its part in minimising the spread of coronavirus.
Selfridgesâ two branches in Manchester, one in Birmingham and the landmark London branch will close at 7pm today. When they will reopen is unknown, but the retailer will continue to trade online.
Selfridges said: âThe health, safety and wellbeing of our customers and team members is our utmost priority and we must do the right thing by the communities in which we live and work to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
âIt is with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to temporarily close our four physical stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester from 7pm this evening.
âWe are not closing all of our operations and will be focusing on our digital and social platforms to engage with our customers during this time.
âWe want to thank our customers and teams for their support during what has been and continues to be a very uncertain time for all of us.
âWe look forward to welcoming our customers and teams back to our stores as soon as we can.
âSelfridges employees will continue to be paid their contracted hours throughout our closure.â
The BBC separately reported that some Selfridges staff have been infected with the virus.
The retailer told the BBC: âWe can confirm that three Selfridges team members have tested positive for coronavirus. Those impacted are in self-isolation and recovering well at home. All our teams are aware.
âThe health and wellbeing of our customers and team members remain our utmost priority and we are rigorously following all guidance from Public Health England.â
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