Homebase is the latest retailer to announce it is reopening some of its stores in Kent.

It said today: "We are trialling the opening of 20 stores shown below, with strict controls in place to ensure shopping is safe for everyone."

The Folkestone branch at the Park Farm Industrial Estate and the Orpington shop at Sevenoaks Way Industrial Estate can now be visited by customers.

Its other Kent branches will continue offer a collection and counter service.

Damian McGloughlin, Homebase chief executive, said: “With the safety of our customers and teams as our first priority, we took the decision to temporarily close our stores and operate online only.

“We have taken this time to carefully review and make a large number of changes to our operations in preparation for a safe, phased reopening, in line with Government guidance on social distancing.”

It comes as six B&Q stores reopened in Kent earlier this week - causing a mixed response, with some fearing it would cause other companies to follow suit.

The DIY giant now has 155 bases trading across the UK - and the Kent ones are Ashford, Dartford, Dover, Gravesend, Gillingham and Tunbridge Wells.

A statement from the firm said: "We’re strictly limiting the number of customers in store at any one time, and so you may find you need to queue if you visit the store.

"To help remind everyone to respect each other’s personal space, we have two metre floor markers throughout the store and also perspex screens at our checkouts."

B&Q is classed as an essential retailer.

But some people have shown they are managing just fine without the big chains - by creating lockdown DIY projects such as garden assault courses, mini pubs and a reading den.

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