6:55 am, April 11, 2021
- Here are the headlines for Sunday, April 11
Retailers ready for pent-up demand for ‘physical shopping’
Retailers are hoping pent-up demand and the fun of ‘physical shopping’ will see consumers flooding back into bricks and mortar stores after a turbulent year of closures and restrictions.
Shops will be able to extend their opening hours from 7am to 10pm to help customers avoid peak times and ease transport pressures.
The government’s updated safety guidance makes clear that all customers will have to continue to follow social distancing rules; shop alone or in small groups; queue or follow one-way signs where necessary; follow hygiene rules; and wear a face covering unless they have an exemption.
Ireland set to ease restrictions for first time this year
Ireland’s coronavirus restrictions are set to be eased on Monday for the first time this year.
The country has been in level five lockdown since Christmas Eve, having only emerged from the same restrictions that had been in place since October five days prior to that.
Since last December, the return of some children to schools and some construction work have been the only exceptions to the pandemic restrictions.
Hairdressers booked for six weeks and preparing for 12-hour days
Many salons are reporting they are fully booked for up to six weeks despite ‘everybody wanting an appointment on April 12’.
The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) said anecdotal evidence from its members suggests most are fully booked for at least six weeks.
Lara Boot, owner of Lara Boot Hairdressing in Northampton, said: ‘Everybody wants an appointment on the 12th. We’re working 12-hour days.’
PM chooses not to attend Philip’s funeral
Boris Johnson will not attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral to allow for the attendance of as many family members as possible during coronavirus restrictions, No 10 has said.
The Prime Minister was understood to have been expected to attend the ceremony for Philip by the royals, but offered to step aside with the number of guests allowed limited to 30.
The duke’s funeral will take place in Windsor Castle on April 17, but it will be unlike typical royal send-offs, with the public being told to stay away because of the pandemic.
Saturday Car Dealer headlines you might have missed:
- Nine cars stolen and four still missing following burglary at car dealership
- Car Dealer Podcast: We plan our pre-reg Roller business, talk furlough fraud, and discuss booming sales
- MG shows off first pictures of Cyberster electric sports car concept
- Comment: With margins now so low, can Cazoo really expect a £5bn valuation?
T-Cross Black Edition revealed
The T-Cross is the latest model in the Volkswagen range to be given the Black Edition treatment.
It’s based on the SE trim but comes with enhanced equipment levels and exterior styling upgrades.
As the name might suggest, many of the exterior changes involve replacing the standard equipment with black parts, including the roof rails, door mirror housings, front grille and bumper trim, and tinted windows.
The 17-inch alloy wheels are also black, while LED headlights replace the standard halogen units.
Nasa prepares to fly helicopter on Mars
A tiny helicopter built by Nasa is ready to fly on Mars as part of the US space agency’s first attempt at a powered, controlled flight on another world.
The Ingenuity helicopter is expected to take to the Martian skies in the coming days – with Wednesday being the earliest time for take-off.
The small helicopter is part of a technology demonstration – a project that aims to test a new capability for the first time.
Scattered showers and sunny spells
Today will see scattered showers mainly in coastal areas and the north of England, according to the Met Office
Elsewhere will have sunshine, which will turn into showers inland. Some will be heavy and others wintry.
Tonight the north and east will have wintry showers but elsewhere will be clear and frosty.
