High-end department store John Lewis announced on Saturday it would temporarily close all 50 of it's UK shops. The closures which will come into effect on Monday and are a direct result of COVID-19.

This will be the first time in the company's 155-year history that it will not open it's shops for customers. 

Chairman Sharon White, said: "The welfare of our customers, communities and Partners is always our absolute priority." White added that none of their employees will be made redundant with some of them working in their partners' Waitrose stores.

Waitrose will continue to operate out of their 338 UK stores whilst John Lewis will remain operational online.

White said: "I also want to give my personal thanks to every single Partner for their extraordinary efforts, I am truly grateful. And to the wider community for pulling together with us during such unprecedented times."