Congleton's markets, including the monthly Makers Market, will have permission to operate from 1 June following a government announcement.

Boris Johnson announced during this evening's (25 May) press conference that car showrooms with outdoor space will also be allowed to open from the beginning of June as well.

The Prime Minister said that outdoor spaces are of less risk for transmitting coronavirus and social distancing measures are easier to enforce.

All other non-essential retail will be allowed to reopen two weeks later on 15 June, subject to a number of public health measurements, including the continued fall in Covid-19 cases.

The stores that open must be "Covid secure" if they are to open safely with social distancing put in place.

He hopes the announcement will give businesses the time needed to apply the necessary measures.

Mr Johnson said the government was doing "everything possible" to protect staff and customers, adding that supermarkets can be a good guide for how social distancing can be implemented.

Congleton's markets and retail stores ground to a halt in late March as the government introduced the lockdown to slow the spread of the virus.