Wilko is keeping the majority of its 416 shops open, as an essential retailer selling over the counter medicine, cleaning and hygiene products, pet food, home maintenance and baby care, but will close stores earlier.

In an announcement on its website, the retailer which has stores in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud, said it will be closing all stores at 5pm, to allow staff sufficient time for cleaning and to stock shelves for the following day.

Wilko said it has also enforced physical distancing, added quantity controls and additional signage in stores. It said it is also reviewing the measures all the time, to make sure it can continue to offer customers and team members the safest possible experience it can.

In the statement, Wilko said: "17million people who live within 2km of a Wilko store really can safely pop in for those essentials. Plus, we sell a lot of the things you need under one roof, so you don't need to be making multiple trips."