Energy giant cancels bills at Scottish care homes during Covid-19 crisis | Ikea announces phased return | Mike Ashley also eyes reopening

Drax owns and operates a diverse portfolio of energy assets in Scotland, including Cruachan Power Station, Lanark Hydro Scheme, Galloway Hydro Scheme, and Daldowie Fuel Plant.

READ MORE: Scotland’s local food economy in unprecedented boost during lockdown

Drax Group CEO, Will Gardiner said: “We’re working hard to offer more support to our customers and communities during this crisis.

“Care homes are critically important – they do incredible work looking after some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and we know this pandemic is putting them under immense pressure.

"As a gesture of appreciation for the excellent work these businesses are doing, we’re cancelling their energy bills for a couple of months.”

Darroch Nursing Home, in Cumbernauld, is one of Haven Power’s customers selected to receive the free energy.

Owner Julie Shanks, said: “Our teams are working very hard in some really challenging circumstances at the moment.

"Not having to pay our energy bills for two months means we’ve one less thing to worry about and we can also redirect the money we would have spent on energy, to source more PPE, which will help to keep our carers and the people they look after, safe.”

Drax is also donating £150,000 to the Money Advice Trust’s Business Debtline, a national charity helping SMEs facing financial hardship.

It said it is in addition to reduced and deferred payment plans for business customers adversely impacted by the lockdown, and energy rates being frozen for three months for those coming to the end of their contracts and rolling onto a monthly plan.

Mr Gardiner added: “We know a lot of businesses are having a tough time, as the lockdown is having a major impact on many different sectors, so we’ve donated £150,000 to the Money Advice Trust’s Business Debtline.

"This will help to ensure those businesses who may be struggling to pay their bills can access the advice and support they need.”

Ikea is set to reopen 19 stores across England and Northern Ireland, making it the latest big-name chain to announce plans to welcome back customers.

The stores are set to start reopening from June 1 and social distancing wardens will patrol stores to help shoppers and ensure they keep their distance.

READ MORE: Ian McConnell: Unemployment figures ominous and youngest and oldest workers and low-paid hit hardest - here is what government and others must do now

But families will be banned, with Ikea saying it will allow one adult and one child per household inside the store at any one point.

The 19 stores reopening are Croydon, Greenwich, Lakeside, Wembley, Tottenham, Norwich collection point, Birmingham, Nottingham, Belfast, Manchester, Warrington, Gateshead, Leeds, Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Reading, Southampton, Bristol and Exeter.

The homewares giant also revealed its Coventry store, which was already facing the axe, will remain closed permanently.

Play areas and restaurants will stay shut, but Ikea insists its meatballs will be available in food courts to cook at home.

Since the pandemic and subsequent closure, Ikea's car parks in Gateshead and Wembley have been turned into drive-through coronavirus testing sites.

Key workers were also allowed to shop in the Swedish Food Markets after being tested.

On reopening to the public, bosses said they aim to limit customer numbers via a staggered entry system and are asking shoppers to "come prepared with ready-made lists and own bags".

Click & Collect facilities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland also opening in a phased approach and in line with Government guidelines.

Stores in Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will remain closed, the company added.

Extra hand sanitiser and more deep cleans of bags, trolleys, bathrooms, equipment and touchscreens will take place.

Cash will not be accepted, with all payments by card or contactless device only, and customers should avoid travelling to stores just to process refunds - with Ikea pointing out it has a 365-day returns policy.

It follows updated plans from Wetherspoon and Sports Direct, which both released details for reopenings, and chains including McDonald's, KFC and Greggs start offering services again.

Employees of Mike Ashley's retail group have been told they will receive full pay in May, as it eyes reopening stores next month under Government proposals for a phased easing of the coronavirus lockdown.

Frasers Group, which includes Sports Direct, House of Fraser and Evans Cycles, had written to staff last month asking them to make "personal sacrifices" with regards to their pay.

READ MORE: Scottish pubs face ‘wipeout’ as roadmap brings social distancing

However, in an update to employees, group chief executive Mr Ashley said that all staff, including those on furlough, would receive their full expected salaries.

Senior management, including chief financial officer Chris Wootton and head of commercial Sean Nevitt, and the non-executive directors, continue to have an annual salary capped at £40,000.

Mr Ashley thanked staff for keeping online operation running during the crisis, while noting that stores may be able to open from June 1.

"Although the retail landscape remains uncertain, we now find ourselves with a little more clarity," he said.

The start of next month has been earmarked as the earliest possible date for the gradual reopening of schools and non-essential retail shops in England.

Mr Ashley told employees: "Although not guaranteed, it appears we may be able to begin opening our stores from June 1 2020.

"If this is the case, we will be prepared for all social distancing and safety guidelines laid out by the Government."

He added: "The Frasers Group is nothing without its people, and I thank you all for your continued support and hard work."

Frasers Group, which rebranded from Sports Direct International last year, has closed its stores following the Government-mandated lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.