To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether businesses solely selling carpets are considered to be homeware retailers who may open their premises.

The regulations have always identified homeware, building supplies and hardware stores as being among those businesses which may be regarded as legal exceptions to the requirement to close.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 does not include a definition on what constitutes a homeware retailer. It is for each business to assess whether they are a business exempt from closing having considered the Regulations.

Where stores do remain open they are strongly advised to do so only where staff and customers can adhere to PHE guidelines on social distancing.