Wilko announces its national lockdown plans – here is what you need to know

Wilko – which was named an essential retailer by the Government during the first shutdown earlier this year – will now stay open during England’s second lockdown, which is set to run until December 2.

The chain has several branches in Sheffield, as well as outlets in Doncaster, Mansfield and Chesterfield.

Key ranges in store include baby care items, cleaning, hardware and DIY, health and personal care, household and pet care products.

However for non-essential products – such as Christmas gifting, decorations and preparation, decorating, entertaining, furniture and hobbies – customers are recommended to visit wilko.com, which offers home delivery nationwide.

The majority of Wilko’s 416 stores are based on the high streets of small towns, making them easily accessible to local communities as part of their daily exercise.

To protect team members and customers, Wilko has introduced and maintained an eight-point safety plan which includes; enhanced cleaning, physical distancing via measures including protective screens and floor markings and store marshals and encouraging contactless payments.

Jerome Saint-Marc, Wilko CEO, said: “Not everyone has a large supermarket nearby to get the non-food essentials they need for their family. With 17 million people living within two km of a Wilko store we can help fulfil this need. As an essential retailer, we’re here to help keep your homes running smoothly. Whether it’s a few bits to make sure your home is kept spick and span, or those little essentials to help look after your family - we’ve got it all here in one place.

“The safety for our customers and team members continues to be our top priority and we’ve a comprehensive eight-point safety plan in place to do just that, including store marshals, to make sure we’ve got the numbers right in our stores. This may mean that sometimes, customers may experience a short wait and we thank them for their patience.

“I’d like to express my sincere thanks to our loyal and hard-working team members who are continuing to do their very best to make sure families across the UK have access to the household essentials they need despite the difficult circumstances of the second lockdown.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.