Shops in Andover are set to stay open until 10pm once lockdown restrictions have been eased.

The government have announced that non-essential retail will be able to open from 7am to 10pm for six days a week.

It will mean that if measures to ease lockdown progress to the next stage as planned on April 12, shoppers in Andover will be able to visit later, allowing people to avoid the crowds.

If the government gives the green light for restrictions to be eased, it will be the first time since Christmas Eve that non-essential shops are able to open, after Tier 4 measures were introduced here in the winter.

A network representing businesses in the town has hailed the decision as a "lifeline that will be heartily welcomed", but warned that this measure alone will not be enough to tackle problems incurred by a year of tight restrictions.

Ross McNally, chief executive and executive chairman of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Extending trading hours later into the evening for non-essential retail, including independent shops, will encourage customers to return when premises are less likely to be crowded, so restoring confidence.

"This is an important step towards rebuilding our economy in a safe way. It is a lifeline that will be heartily welcomed by struggling retailers and their customers.

"At the same time, shop staff should not be pressurised into working late so workplace discussions need to be had to ensure fairness under their employment arrangements."

However, Mr McNally warned that the "key" to fixing problems caused by the Covid lockdown is reform of "iniquitous" business rates.

"Extended trading won’t solve retailers’ problems on its own however," he told The Advertiser. "Radical action is still needed from government to encourage shoppers to return to the High Street in greater numbers.

"The key here is to tackle the long overdue reform of business rates, an iniquitous tax that takes no account of profitability or ability to pay.”

Steve Godwin, manager of the Andover business improvement district, added that whilst it was good to see flexibility for retail, this move was likely to benefit larger towns and shopping centres more.

He told The Advertiser: "It is good to see flexibility being introduced for retail enabling them to open longer if they want to, similarly, to see pubs and bars being encouraged to install outside seating and even marquees.

"For large shopping centres and malls and coastal towns there may be real benefit in extended retail opening but less so for smaller towns.

"Andover is seeing a growing number of entrepreneurial independent traders and we are becoming known as a town of convenience so that people came pop in using our ample and low cost car parks, attractive wide open spaces and pedestrianised high street.

"Our road network is convenient and we are safe in as much as the town is not crowded. The new Riverside Park is proving extremely popular as an attractive place to meet and it has been noticeable since yesterday’s relaxation allowing two families or up to six people to meet outside, just how much busier the town has been.

"In less than two weeks, from 12th April, pubs, cafes and restaurants including the Town Mills will be able to open their outside areas, as will non-essential retail, nail salons, libraries and museums."

The move to allow shops to open longer was announced by communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, at the weekend.

Under the road map for easing lockdown measures, non-essential retailers could open again from April 12, at the earliest, provided conditions are met.

Announcing the temporary measures, Mr Jenrick said: “To support businesses to reopen and recover, I’ve extended measures to allow shops to stay open for longer.

“This is part of a package of support to help reopen our shops and high streets safely – backed by £56 million.

“This will provide a much-needed boost for many businesses – protecting jobs, reducing pressure on public transport and supporting people and communities to continue to visit their high streets safely and shop locally.”

The Government has also announced it will extend flexible working hours on construction sites, and will allow food deliveries to supermarkets over more time periods.

Other measures also included keeping the flexibility for pubs and restaurants to put up marquees to help increase seating capacity in a Covid-secure way.