From today, supermarkets can sell non-essential items and garden centres can reopen

The phased reopening of non essential retail begins today in a slight easing of lockdown restrictions in Wales.

From today, Monday March 22, supermarkets will be able to sell non-essential items and garden centres can open as part of the lockdown easing process in Wales.

Non-essential items such as electrical goods, clothes, toys and kids games have been cordoned off in supermarkets since level 4 restrictions came into force in December.

The ban on the sale of non essential items in supermarkets was brought in to ‘create a level the playing field’ for small and high street stores who have remained closed during the lockdown period

The aim of ban has also been to minimise the amount of time that people spent lingering in stores.

Following the Welsh Government’s latest 21-day review, First Minister Mark Drakeford outlined the timetable for the reopening of non-essential retail.

That starts today with the cordon being lifted on those non-essential items in shops which are already open.

Garden centres will also be able to open from today, Charlies in Deeside is one of those that will be opening for the first time in over 90 days.

All other shops which only sell non-essential items will have to wait a further three weeks until they can open on 12 April.

Today we can reopen garden centres and begin the phased reopening of non-essential retail.

If coronavirus cases continue to decrease and conditions allow, we'll lift the stay local rule on 27 March and begin a phased reopening of tourism.

For now, please #StayLocal. pic.twitter.com/dkpxHj2qIy

— Welsh Government #StayLocal (@WelshGovernment) March 22, 2021

A post on Charlies Stores Facebook says: “After three very long months we are over the moon to be reopening our Coed-y-Dinas, Carmarthen, Parc-y-Llyn and Queensferry stores tomorrow [Monday] morning.”

“Based on the size of each of our stores, we have been told how many people are allowed in at any one time.”

“This means that at busier times you might have to queue as we operate a “one-out, one- in” approach.”

“You may notice that our shelves aren’t as full as usual. Please bear with us, we are working hard behind the scenes to ensure the stock arrives as quick as possible.”

The reopening of gyms, fitness facilities  and outdoor hospitality will be considered as part of the 22nd April review, but again that hinges on conditions continuing to improve.