They have already been forced to close their retail outlets due to the Coronavirus Crisis, but now high street giants Next have announced that their online services are shutting down too.

Next PLC made the announcement to the Stock Exchange this morning - and the wording of the statement suggests that it's not entirely the company's first wish that they do.

The two paragraph statement stopped short of thanking warehouse staff for what they have done so far to help keep operations open while the nation is in a state of unprecedented lockdown.

It also failed to show any inclination that the company agreed with the decision it has now made.

The short statement said: "NEXT has listened very carefully to its colleagues working in Warehousing and Distribution Operations to fulfil Online orders. It is clear that many increasingly feel they should be at home in the current climate.

"NEXT has therefore taken the difficult decision to temporarily close its Online, Warehousing and Distribution Operations from this evening, Thursday 26 March 2020. NEXT will not be taking any more Online orders after this time until further notice."