The owners of The Snooty Fox (Nisa) in Shalford, Surrey, have installed a hand-washing station outside the store complete with running water, soap and handtowels.

Frankie and Adrienn Ago have also built a screen that fits round the in-store counter to minimise contact between customers and staff.

The couple took action in order to serve their community while also protecting their staff.

Frankie said: “I feel we need to do this for the common good. It took about four days to complete from start to finish. I designed it all but then used a plumber to connect up the sink and a chippy to do the framework on the hygiene screening. I really hope it will be replicated in other shop entrances.”

Nisa’s retail development manager Richard Bishop said: “Frankie and Adrienn are always forward thinking as well as always out to look after the community.

“This is such a brilliant idea. They really have shown just how fantastic independent retailers are and how they go the extra mile for the communities they serve, particularly at times of crisis.”

The government announced last week that c-store retailers would be included in the definition of ‘key worker’ during the period of school closures.