During the lock-down period of the Covid19 pandemic, all ‘non-essential’, (though I know we may beg to differ about classing Hifi Shops as non-essential) shops have been closed. That, of course, meant that our favourite high street and destination Hifi Retailers, have been closed for the duration.

Many Hifi shops have been doing brisk business in online sales and have been collaborating with manufacturers to get gear out to audiophiles stuck at home, who have been wanting to audition their products.

Today, in England, Hifi Shops are reopening, whilst adhering to strict government guidelines to protect both staff and customers. Here is a roundup from just some of the fantastic Hifi Shops that are reopening, check with your local shop for details as many are operating an appointment only system, please give them all of your support. We will bring you information on when Hifi Shops in other regions of the UK are opening, when we have it.

Midland Audio X-Change, of Belbroughton, are arranging demonstrations strictly by appointment only, and will comply with social distancing rules. Only one customer at a time is allowed unless from the same household. Anyone who has shown any signs of Covid-19 within the last 14 days should not attend.

Chord Electronics’ extensive UK dealer network is largely open, with potential visitors advised to check their local store using the company’s online dealer locator tool

Digital music library manufacturer, Melco Audio’s UK retailers are also opening this week, along with the Japanese company’s Melco Master Dealers (which have undergone extensive specialist training) with all outlets listed on the company’s dealer page online.

Hertfordshire based Nintronics are open and running by appointment only with limited demo slots available per day, allowing them to keep social distancing measures in place and have time to deep clean between demos.

McIntosh Laboratory distributor Jordan Acoustics is also opening its Bournemouth store by appointment only, with most UK McIntosh dealers also welcoming customers through their doors this week; a list of UK stores can be found on the McIntosh Labs website.

Welsh Hifi Brand, Leema Acoustics’ dealers are opening their doors this week and the Welshpool factory has remained (safely) open throughout the lockdown, hand-building to order for music lovers around the world.

Martin’s Hifi in Norwich are open from today, The door will be locked, allowing social distancing to be maintained You won’t need an appointment to visit, but the number of people in the shop at any one time is strictly controlled and you will need to use the hand sanitiser on entry. For demonstrations, you can have the demo room all to yourself if you feel more comfortable, the size of the room allows one person and a salesperson only per demonstration.

Audience Hifi in Bath, will reopen from Tuesday 16^th June, by appointment only, with social distancing and thorough cleansing procedures in place to keep staff, clients and suppliers safe.

UK cable brand, Chord Company’s dealers are opening this week, many of whom offer a speaker cable termination service following the roll-out of the ChordOhmic Hex Gun this time last year.

Brian and Trevor’s of Manchester are now open, by appointment only.

Audio T are reopening their UK stores today and tomorrow, with Welsh stores following when allowed to do so. They are also adding perspex screens to sales desks, employing regular cleaning of surfaces including doors, desks, card machines, phones & keyboards etc. between customers along with frequent hand washing and staff will be wearing safety visors, masks and gloves. Hand sanitizers, masks and gloves will also be available for customers, who can visit Audio T by appointment.

Hifi Lounge, of Bedfordshire, are open strictly appointment only with no drop in’s allowed. Paul Clark of Hifi Lounge told us “I never wanted to make this place appointment only as I don’t like putting barriers up for people but we really have no choice at the moment so until the country is Coronavirus free”.They will have one to two demo’s a day and will have hand sanitiser available when customers come in, plus social distancing will be maintained throughout.

Brook Audio, of Elland in the North of England, will reopen their shop later this week on Thurday 18^th June. Full precautions will be taken in line with the government guidelines.

Hifi stores stocking and demonstrating Japanese speaker specialist ECLIPSE’s range are also opening this week, with customers advised to check in advance first. Confirmed stores include: Audiologica; Cool Gales; Doug Brady Hi-Fi; Hi-Fi Sound; Ripcaster; Robert Taussig and Sonata HiFi.

Richer Sounds have announced that selected stores are now open to serve you by appointment only, seven days a week. This will eliminate the need for queuing outside the store, and the highest possible health standards will be maintained by limiting the number of shoppers in the store to a maximum of up to two customer groups (max 2 persons per customer group). Social distancing and health protection rules will be in place, including hand sanitiser and mask wearing.

Get all the latest Hifi News with Hifi Pig here!