Several high street retailers and department stores, including Primark, Debenhams and John Lewis, have reopened to customers for the first time since March, with new safety measures in place.
Live updates as non-essential shops reopen in England
Most retailers that are reopening are adopting a “sensible” approach, with floor markings in place to maintain a two metre distance between shoppers, and encouraging hand sanitising among shoppers and staff.
Councils across the country will be making use of government funding to safeguard high streets, creating more pedestrianised space outside shops and ensuring more frequent street cleaning.
Small business minister Paul Scully insisted it is safe for people to shop, but customers will have to adapt to the new measures.
He told BBC Breakfast: "The high street is going to be a different place to what it was before, with the one-way systems, with the hand sanitisers, and with people not trying clothes on in the same way.
"But, nonetheless, it is safe to shop. I would encourage people to be sensible, work with the people in the shop but do go out and shop, and start opening our economy gradually and carefully."