The British government has announced all shops selling “non-essential” goods – a term that applies to all video game and electronics stores, including Game – are to close effective immediately as part of sweeping measures intended to limit the impact of coronavirus in the UK.
In a broadcast to the nation earlier this evening, 23rd March, UK prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed the government was ordering the closure of all shops across the UK selling “non-essential” goods, “including clothing and electronic stores”.
The government’s follow-up guidelines are even clearer, explicitly stating that all retail will remain closed for at least three weeks from 23rd March with some exceptions (including supermarkets, pharmacies, petrol stations, pet shops, post offices, and banks), bringing an end to the uncertainty that has plagued the high street in recent weeks.
Although some retailers had voluntarily halted operations following the government’s announcement on Friday that all bars and restaurants would be closed, many game stores, including Argos, Currys, CEX, and Smyths, elected to remain open across the UK.
Video game high street specialist Game, for instance, finally announced it would be closing its Belong arenas earlier today in light of the government’s social distancing guidelines, but would keep its retail stores open – a deeply concerning prospect for many of its frontline staff.