Currys stores stay open - boss thanks workers but warns situation may change

The statement read:

"We’re keeping our stores open for as long as we safely can. Keeping our colleagues and customers safe is our number one priority. Everyone must feel safe in one of our stores. That’s why we’ve redoubled our cleaning, put in hand sanitisers, and adopted social distancing precautions.

"We’re racing to put in express checkouts, kerbside collection and the contact-free, drive-thru shop this week, all of which will put even more safe distance between colleagues and customers. Where we need to limit customer access to the store to keep everyone safe, we will. And if we have to close stores for a time, we’ll do that too.

"Right now our stores are open, but things are changing fast, and you can check before you go by visiting our online store finder. The information you see there will be up to date and it’ll say if the store is open or closed.

"Of course we’re also helping customers online (currys.co.uk) and over the phone (0344 561 1234), and we’re working hard to keep delivering safely to homes. Our teams have extra sanitising kit, and we’re offering contact-free delivery. For larger items (the kind you need two people to lift) we’ll ring you on the day to sort things out and to check whether you want contact-free delivery.

"To protect our colleagues and other customers, you’ll understand that we won’t go into homes if anyone inside is self-isolating or in quarantine. We’ll also take every step we can think of to ensure that older and vulnerable customers who need us, and who can’t get out at all, can still get our help, and get it safely.

"We’re working closely with our suppliers, to make sure we have plenty of the tech people want – whether that be essentials like fridges, laptops, tablets, washing machines, phones or cookers – but also the fun stuff like games consoles and TVs.

"Finally, I have no bigger concern right now than the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues. I will take every step to protect them. Their calm dedication has blown me away these last few days – and I can only thank them for the essential service they’re providing the millions of customers who need our help, and in the most difficult circumstances.

"In turn, we’ll look after our colleagues through this crisis. We’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Nobody at Currys PC World will have to come out to work if they feel unable to. And if we have to close any stores or sites because of Covid-19, with the Government’s help we’ll keep paying the colleagues who work in them."