Franbern
Have an appointment with Specsavers tomorrow. They have phoned to remind me of that appointment and informed me that I MUST wear a face mask when attending.
Thought this was now down to individuals to decide whether or not to continue using these, did not know that shops could insist on it.
... to answer the original question.
Yes, it is down to individuals. But if you read what the government has said, it also allows businesses, shops, etc to make their own decisions about mask-wearing.
So, yes - shops can insist on it. And those who work in outlets where you have to be up, close and personal, probably will. Government was astute enough to realise that if they decreed that businesses / shops were not allowed to mandate mask wearing, it would've been a contentious issue with many such businesses, etc, so wisely left them to make their own decisions. They could do little else, logically and pragmatically.