Retailers will be able to stay open until 10pm six days a week following months of closures in the third coronavirus lockdown, says the government.

Extended opening hours from Monday to Saturday to said to help people safely return to high streets when non-essential shops open from April 12.

The measure, which is temporary, is to give customers greater flexibility to avoid peak times and ease transport pressures.

We asked our readers what they thought about this. Sheila Southen explained: "Shops are open long enough. We've had late nights running up to Christmas before, with no one in at all, total waste of time. Wouldn't be enough staff to cover this either as company is always penny pinching."

Ali Wynne commented; "Everyone's complaining about the poor workers, but how many of those workers have had hours reduced or lost jobs due to the shops being shut. They might actually appreciate the extra work."

Denise Broughton Fell added: "Great idea, bigger cities shops are normally open longer than ours are. It would make life a lot easier for all those working unsociable hours and create new posts for the unemployed."

Elizabeth Carr continued: "There is no need for shops to be open until 10pm but if they do the staff should have the choice of hours they wish to work."

Christine Bonner said: "I think it's good for now, to give them a chance to make up where they've lost money."

Mike Mills commented: "Great as long as they keep the social distances."

Angela Arnold explained: "It will help the people that have to work all day and can't get to the shops and the shops could arrange a rota system for their employee, even take on more staff so it might help with the unemployment situation."

Amanda Bolton questioned: "Would this generate more jobs which is good for the economy?"

Victoria Johnson said: "Give retail staff a break They have all been hero's over the last year."

David Walker said: "Might be the only time some people can go because of work commitments."