While many shops were keen to welcome back customers, some big name brands have announced their stores in Kent won't be reopening at all, even after lockdown.

Non-essential retailers have been hit hard, making an already difficult situation on the high street much worse. Some businesses have fallen into administration during the pandemic, with others choosing to close stores to make ends meet.

Oasis and Warehouse are one of the latest fashion chains to fold. In April its Icelandic owner Kaupthing was unable to find a new buyer and announced it has no plans to reopen after lockdown.

This is a blow to Kent's high streets as the company has Oasis stores in Maidstone, Bluewater, Bexleyheath, Bromley and Tenterden.

It also has concessions in House of Fraser in both Bluewater and Maidstone, as well as Sainsbury's in Herne Bay. All are now closed along with its online store.

Laura Ashley is another big name brand which has fallen victim to Covid-19 as the high-street firm filed for administration in March. It blamed the pandemic for tipping it over the edge.

But those looking for a bargain will be pleased to hear the luxury home brand has temporarily reopened its stores for what it has described as an "extensive" sale.

Eager shoppers were seen queuing on Friday morning outside the branch in Maidstone's Fremlin Walk in anticipation for the closing down sale.

When the sale ends, all eight stores in Kent will close their doors for the final time as part of 70 shutting down permanently nationwide. No date has yet been confirmed.

Business expert Professor Richard Scase from the University of Kent says there are a number of reasons why brands are suffering, but lockdown has sped up the inevitable.

He said: "My experience of high streets over the past week is that they have remained very quiet. Data suggests visits are about 40% what they were a year ago.

"The crisis really has pushed customers more towards online. In the past people were slightly more suspicious, but now they have been using online shopping, they realise it's pretty easy and straightforward. The online shopping experience, which was of growing competitiveness anyway, really is a direct outcome of lockdown.

"Business rates also don't give high street retailers a level playing field against online. A lot of developers of retail space are charging high rents and high leases which are inappropriate and squeezing tenants to their absolute margins so they can't compete any more.

"A number of these stores and restaurants have been providing a service which has become tired and predictable. Covid-19 has been the final nail in the coffin, it really has sped up the inevitable."

In March, Bright House, the largest 'rent-to-own' retailer in the UK also fell into difficulty.

It has now closed all its stores - including its branches in Margate, Folkestone, Ashford, Chatham, Dover, Ramsgate and Dartford.

Monsoon Accessorize is also feeling the pressure with three stores in Kent now closed amid reports of 545 job losses across the UK.

The company, which specialise in fashion and jewellery, will close 35 of its stores including those in Maidstone, Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells.

But it's not just fashion brands feeling the blow, the future is also looking bleak for restaurants.

The Restaurant Group (TRG) that owns Chiquitos has filed for administration. It's understood all of it's outlets nationwide will permanently close including those in Ashford, Westwood Cross, and Rochester.

Also falling under TRG's umbrella is Frankie and Benny's. The future of the eight restaurants in Kent is up in the air as the owner also announced 'a large number' of stores will remain closed after lockdown.

Unlike Chiquitos, it is not yet known if any in Kent will be affected.

Professor Scase added although it was the right time to reopen the high streets, he feels it is too soon for those in hospitality.

He said: "What I do find worrying is, if the Prime Minister says bars and restaurants can reopen today as I suspect he will, staff will be unable to exercise responsible behaviour. I think it will be impossible to enforce social distancing in pubs. You'll have people hording up against bars as you've always had and I think bar staff will be unable to exercise authority.

"From a health point of view it's premature, but from an economy point of view it's absolutely vital the hospitality sector opens.

"In Kent for example, a very high percentage of employees are dependent on the hospitality sector and if that's not opened quickly there is going to be a real problem in terms of unemployment when furlough finishes in Autumn. Surveys show businesses have enough cash to take them through three or four months but that's it."

"I think the coronavirus will really change Kent's high streets," he added. "I think we will see the high street reinvented. It will not longer be a shopping high street, but a mix of retail, residential and lifestyle activities."

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