Retail agents plan to keep their shops and offices open, despite a call from Boris Johnson to work from home where possible.

The Prime Minister announced new measures on Wednesday evening as he announced the Government is moving to Plan B in response to concern over the Omicron variant.

In a poll by campaign group TARGET, 91% said they would keep shops and offices open and fully staffed when the new rules come in next week.

In the poll, only 4% said they were closing the shop/office and working from home with 5% adopting a hybrid model of keeping the shop/office open.

TARGET Co-Founder Graeme Brett said: “The feedback is that agents need to be available to assist customers who are already booked, with information on testing, Passenger Locator Forms and other requirements and most say that this is virtually impossible to do from home.”

Co-Founder Jill Waite added: “Many agents are totally fed up with the constant rule changes and the sheer stupidity that Government suggests they work from home but then they can go to a pub, restaurant or football match in the evening with their workmates.

“The Government are destroying the travel industry and everyone’s moral is so low now after the slight recovery in October and November.

“We will be staying open to assist our customers as they need our help and guidance more than ever.”

TARGET member Peter Cookson of Spear Travels said: “We are staying open as normal, full staff, full days, full hours.”