From April 15th, retailers will no longer have to apply for planning permission for the initiative that allows shoppers to pick up their purchases in stores.

All retailers will soon be able to offer click and collect services in-store following changes to the laws of planning permission.

From April 15th, retailers will no longer have to apply for planning permission for the initiative that allows shoppers to pick up their purchases in stores.

Until now, retailers wishing to offer the service have been subject to a £195 fee and reams of paperwork to complete.

However, in a move that ministers say will act as a boost to the High Street, these hurdles will now be done away with.

The use of Click and Collect services on the High Street is now expected to double by 2018.

“Far from threatening the High Street, online shopping offers a new opportunity,” said planning minister, Brandon Lewis.

“How we shop is changing radically and I want to help our High Streets thrive from online competition.”