Selfridges, one of London’s largest and most iconic stores has ben closed in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Three employees reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus, a number that has not been confirmed by Selfridges.
The decision was announced the same evening that the British government unveiled a £330 billion package of support focused mainly on helping retail and hospitality businesses.
Selfridges is home to one of London’s biggest luxury watch stores, The Wonder Room run by Switzerland’s Bucherer (pictured top).
In a message to customers and staff, Selfridges says, “The health, safety and wellbeing of our customers and team members is our utmost priority. We must do the right thing by the communities in which we live and work to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.”
Selfridges stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham will all close at 7pm on Wednesday.
There is no advice on how long the closure will last.
Rival luxury department store Harrods, home to The Fine Watch Room, has reduced opening hours and closed all its restaurants to protect its customers and 5,000 staff.
“With this safety in mind, we have decided that for the first time, Harrods will reduce opening hours from our current hours of 10am–9pm to 11am–7pm until further notice. Sunday hours will remain the same as usual,” a statement from Harrods says.
As an ex employee of Selfridges I can attest that bacteria and sickness spreads very quickly inside the store. Contingency measures must be in place to protect staff and their livelihoods in situations like these, despite being untenable and unprecedented? M.Isherwood