Toilet roll sales of one of the UK's main suppliers have risen by more than a fifth in a week but there is a pledge they should not run out.
WEPA UK, which produces own-brand loo paper for supermarkets like Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's, said sales had gone up by 23 per cent but the company was prepared after panic-buying in the spring led to empty shelves and shortages.
Boris Johnson announced a slew of restrictions on Tuesday and warned that stricter measures may be imposed if infection rates did not go down.
But WEPA UK joint managing director Mike Docker said the company was prepared this time around in case there was a repeat of panic-buying.
"We are doing all that we can to ensure stock remains available, including rationalising some niche embossed patterns and focusing on larger pack sizes, which we know were in demand in March,” he told the Guardian.
The company also has back-up facilities on standby, Mr Docker said – but advised customers to act on the advice of supermarkets where they do their shopping.
Supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose have all said that they have beefed up online shopping capacity.
Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, which represents the industry, urged people to think of others if there is another lockdown.
“Retailers have done an excellent job in ensuring customers have access to the food and necessities throughout this pandemic," he said.
"Supermarkets have put in place a range of safety measures to protect staff and customers. In the event of future lockdowns we urge consumers to be considerate and shop for food as they would usually during this difficult time."