Next to reopen South Elmsall warehouse today despite criticism

Next has said it will begin online trading again after reopening its South Elmsall warehouse today.

In a statement released to the Stock Exchange on Tuesday morning, the company said it would only be selling "low volumes" of stock, with only a fraction of its staff having returned to work.

Next's plans to reopen the Field Lane depot in South Elmsall were branded "appalling" by local councillor Steve Tulley.

The retailer had already been forced to close at the end of March after a backlash against its original decision to keep running during lockdown.

But having offered a 10 per cent bonus to "volunteers" willing and able to turn up to work, Next says it will ensure social distancing can be observed in the warehouse.

Their statement, released at 7am this morning, said:

The retailer also said that customers would only be able to order items that could be "safely picked" on any given day.

After that, Next says its website will become "browse only for the rest of the day.

The statement added: