Shops in England have reopened for the first time in almost a month to take advantage of the run up to Christmas but many businesses face an uncertain future.

A national lockdown began on November 5, which forced all non-essential stores to shut their doors, including most pubs, restaurants and retailers.

Businesses are hoping now to see more shoppers during the festive season but for some outlets the impact of COVID-19 and restrictions has already forced them to close.

Earlier this week, high-street heavyweight Debenhams collapsed and retail giant Arcadia Group went into administration. The moves have put 25,000 jobs at risk.

For many smaller retailers, reopening their doors now will be key to their survival. That includes Fabrizio Ercoli, owner of Home Rooms Authentic, a local fashion store in West London.

"It was a bit difficult to close again for the second lockdown," he told CGTN Europe. "But we hope to do well and we hope that people will be confident to come out and shop. As an independent store, we really rely on that."

Ercoli said he's recently started selling some of his products on Instagram but the majority of his sales still depend on the in-store experience.

Compared with last December, the income is "down 40 percent, but the costs are the same," he added.

The Centre for Retail Research expects British shops to have lost more than $23 billion in sales this year, mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It's not just smaller companies looking to bounce back this month – luxury retailer Harrods has brought forward its traditional Boxing Day sale this year. It usually takes place on December 26, but launched on Wednesday instead.

"The first lockdown and the second lockdown and the lack of international tourists for us, it's been hugely costly. But we've managed to pivot around that. Even during that time, we've got stronger on our web," said Michael Ward, managing director at Harrods.

Despite businesses being allowed to reopen, many limitations are still in place as the UK has moved into a tiered system of restrictions. It means pubs, shops and restaurants will need to close at certain times and ensure they follow government COVID-19 guidelines.

Now they are back in business, many retailers are hoping consumers will quickly return. They will have to if many shops are to weather the pandemic.