Leisure centres, gyms and theatres were also ordered to shut for an indefinite period by Boris Johnson in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.

The government has said that retail shops were not included under the raft of mandated closures.

To support businesses impacted by the shutdown, the government has also deferred the next quarter’s VAT payments, meaning no businesses will pay any VAT from now until the end of June, representing a £30bn cash injection equivalent to 1.5% of GDP. Businesses will have until the end of the financial year to repay deferred VAT.