Coronavirus: Luxury fashion stores pull down shutters amid ‘unprecedented times’

“This is a challenging time for us all – we are navigating unchartered territory together and each day brings a new development”

Luxury fashion stores in the UK have begun pulling down their shutters due to the “unprecedented times” presented by the coronavirus pandemic.

MATCHESFASHION announced the closure of its London outlets “for the foreseeable future” while Browns said it was also closing shops, including its flagship store in Shoreditch.

Both companies said that the safety of customers and staff was a priority, citing advice from the World Health Organisation, NHS and government on how to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.

Throughout the coming weeks, both outlets will continue to operate their online operations as normal until advised otherwise.

In a statement seen by The Independent, Browns CEO Holli Rogers, said: “We have never been in a situation as unprecedented as this before and our community, our teams and our customers are what matters most.

“This is a challenging time for us all – we are navigating unchartered territory together and each day brings a new development.

“While we have been protecting and safeguarding the environments of our Browns South Molton Street flagship store and Browns East store to ensure health and wellbeing are top notch, we have taken the decision to temporarily close our stores along with our HQ and help mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19.”

The announcement comes less than 24 hours after Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a cash injection of £350 billion to help businesses battle through the crisis.

Mr Sunak said on Tuesday that the rescue package – which comes on top of the £7 billion of support for business outlined in last week’s budget – includes a one-year break from business rates as well as government grants of up to £25,000 for struggling retailers and pubs.

Under the plans, banks have agreed to give struggling customers a mortgage holiday of up to three months.

However, the government has faced increasing pressure to support the poorest members of society in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak

It follows allegations that Mr Sunak’s emergency plan did “nothing” to protect home renters and those on low income.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma insisted ministers were already working on plans to support people in employment and to help renters, with new measures to be announced “shortly”.

“Of course people want us to go further,” he told the BBC1 Breakfast programme.

“The chancellor set out very clearly that we will be coming forward when it comes to employment measures. We will come forward with that as quickly as possible.

“I know this is a very anxious time for lots of people. They are concerned about their livelihoods. That is why we have moved so quickly to provide this £350 billion package of support.

“We will continue to provide support where it is needed. The prime minister has been clear that we will do whatever it takes to protect people’s health, to protect people’s livelihoods.

“We had a significant intervention yesterday. We are ready to do more.”

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the government must take urgent action to protect workers and renters.

He said: “Our work today will focus on getting the Government to bring forward an effective package of measures to protect wages for workers laid off, the sick and self-isolating, self-employed and renters.

“We will try to convince the Government not to delay and to give people the security they need now.”