Stores across Birmingham and throughout the Midlands will be re-opening from Monday June 15 as the lockdown measures are eased.
Non-essential stores like Primark and John Lewis are preparing to swing open their doors and welcome customers as the government gradually eases the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.
The outbreak of coronavirus - triggering a pandemic and unprecedented health crisis - left many stores shuttered in March, but they can now re-open.
The Bullring will be back open for business on Monday June 15 - but some stores won't survive the Covid-19 crisis, it has already been confirmed, with some shops and chain restaurants announcing job losses, administrations and store closures.
Frankie and Bennys
Frankie and Benny’s owner The Restaurant Group (TRG) is set to permanently close between 100 and 120 restaurants.
The PA news agency understands the company, which also owns Wagamama, will not reopen these sites to customers when lockdown restrictions unwind.
The majority of these closures will affect Frankie and Benny’s sites, with smaller sister brands such as Garfunkel’s also affected.
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It is understood Wagamama sites will not be impacted by the closures.
The dining group said last year that it would close up to 150 sites in its leisure division, which includes more than 200 Frankie & Benny’s restaurants, over the next five years.
But sources close to the company said it had been “forced to accelerate” its plans as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Earlier on Wednesday, an email seen by the BBC said the group was set to tell staff that many sites were “no longer viable to trade and will remain closed permanently”.
The email adds: “The Covid-19 crisis has significantly impacted our ability to trade profitably, so we’ve taken the tough decision to close these restaurants now.”
In March, TRG was forced to shut 60 of its Chiquito Mexican-style outlets as well as its Food & Fuel chain of pubs in London after falling into administration.
The company, which currently has around 22,000 staff on furlough, is one of the largest restaurant operators in Britain.
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TRG declined to comment.
Shares in the company jumped by more than 12% on Wednesday in response to reports over the closure proposals.
Oasis and Warehouse
More than 1,800 jobs are set to be lost at Oasis and Warehouse as administrators said they were unable to rescue the company behind the brands.
Deloitte said that all stores will close indefinitely and online sales will be stopped.
The chains have 92 stores and 437 concessions. Speaking earlier this month Hash Ladha, chief executive of Oasis Warehouse, said: “This is a situation that none of us could have predicted a month ago, and comes as shocking and difficult news for all of us.
“We as a management team have done everything we can to try and save the iconic brands that we love.”
The retailer was owned by Kaupthing, the failed Icelandic bank, and its own administrators had tried to sell Oasis Warehouse three years ago, but this was later abandoned.
Rob Harding, Joint Administrator at Deloitte, said: “Covid-19 has had a devastating effect on the entire retail industry and not least the Oasis Warehouse group.
“Despite management’s best efforts over recent weeks, and significant interest from potential buyers, it has not been possible to save the business in its current form.”
The Oasis and Warehouse Group has been looking for a saviour for weeks, according to reports.
Debenhams this month entered administration for the second time in a year in a bid to protect itself during the shutdown.
The company’s 142 stores were already closed and most of the 22,000 members of staff on furlough before the owners pushed the business into administration.
Debenhams
Debenhams is closing its giant store in the Bullring after failing to resolve a rent wrangle with centre bosses.
The retailer said that despite "best efforts" it had been unable to agree terms with shopping centre owner Hammerson to reopen the huge branch, after the chain fell into administration last month.
It has been reported that the closures may result in about 1,400 job losses across five branches.
Four other stores will close in Croydon's Centrale shopping centre, Silverburn in Glasgow, High Cross in Leicester, and Reading's Oracle.
Cath Kidston
The owner of Cath Kidston has secured a deal to buy back its brand and online operations after sliding into administration, in a move which will leave many of the firm's 740 jobs still at risk.
Baring Private Equity Asia, which has held a stake in the retailer since 2014, said it will buy the online business, brand and wholesale arm from administrators Alvarez & Marsal.
The deal does not include the retailer's 60 stores, leaving them facing permanent closure.
Cath Kidston operates a store in Birmingham's Grand Central.
Laura Ashley
Laura Ashley is to cut 268 jobs after the fashion retailer slid into administration in March.
Administrators for the high street firm said the redundancies will mainly affect staff in its headquarters and back office roles.
It comes after the retailer announced that it will permanently close 70 stores, after filing for administration.
It said at the time that 721 workers were at risk, but the majority of these are now due to be furloughed.