Financial Planning firm Informed Choice is to close its office for the day on Monday 19 July in order to celebrate Freedom Day.

The office closure comes as the firm prepares to return to the office with a hybrid approach to work from home and the office next week.

The office will be closed for the day with staff given an additional day of holiday in order to celebrate the end of Coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions in England.

The firm originally planned to give staff the day off in June before Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushed the date for the end of restrictions to this month.

Martin Bamford, Chartered Financial Planner at Informed Choice, said the team has been instructed to enjoy a day off to enjoy the significant moment.

He said: “Everyone has worked so hard throughout this pandemic, in very trying circumstances, but they have made it work and done exceptionally well despite working from spare rooms and kitchen tables.

“As the world starts to get back to some sort of normality, we wanted to mark this milestone with a thank you to the team and three-day weekend before we start with a hybrid approach to work from home and the office.

“While next Monday isn't necessarily 'freedom day' as infection rates are still rising and we will continue to face many restrictions in our daily lives, it does feel like a significant moment in the course of this pandemic. Plus the weather forecast looks great!”