High streets in England are once again filled with queues of shoppers as non-essentials stores re-open after nearly three months of inactivity
The restrictions on shopping have only just changed today in England, but that hasn’t put off the queues of shoppers that have returned to the high streets as non-essential shops were permitted to re-open after 12 weeks of them being shut as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This comes after it was announced back in late May that all non-essential shops and retailers would be able to open from 15th June.
Measures were implemented throughout the London’s West End, including hand sanitiser dispensers on the streets, social distancing ambassadors are present and the amount of pavement on Regent Street being doubled.
Many of the eager shoppers waiting to enter stores were reportedly mindful of the social distancing measures in place and many were wearing face coverings or masks, one woman was even seen wearing a full-length protective suit with a hood.
This woman covered her face with a brown paper Primark bag as she left the store, and another woman who was holding three bags of newly purchased items said: “It’s good to be back – it seems like forever since I’ve been in a clothes shop.”
A 39-year-old estate agent Kasia Ruta was asked if she was pleased to see stores reopening, she replied: “Very much so, I’m ready to move on. I’m quite laid back about it all.”
A customer in Manchester city centre said: “This is crazy, queuing just for clothes. But it is nice to see more people out and about and things getting back to normal.” But some have been discouraged by the new restrictions placed on the high-street shopping experience.
Kristina Taylor, a shopper who works in finance, had joined a queue of customers outside the Apple store in London’s Regent Street.
When asked if she was happy about non-essential shops reopening for business, she said: “Yes and no. I will pop by Primark to see the queue. But not keen on all of this queuing, it makes me think twice about whether I need something from that shop.”
This comes after consumer group Which? has warned the government to not allow in chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef from the US.
The chief executive of New West End Co, Jace Tyrrell, said: “The West End is opening after three months and customers are easing their way into it.”
Speaking on the re-openings so far, he went on to say:
“There’s a lovely pace about it. No mass crowds… It’s going to feel very different around the West End for quite some time.”
Asked if some of the excitement of getting back to shopping will soon end, Mr Tyrrell disagreed, saying: “There is a bit of fun! We’re about to see some DJs outside Selfridges. It is still the art of experience, retail.”
“Just browse with your eyes, not your hands, is the message at the moment.”
The Oxford Street Nike store opened its doors for business today for the first time in twelve weeks as the national lockdown rules for the high street are eased. Around 400 customers formed queues outside the shop, waiting for when the shop doors opened at 10am.
The large queues caused security to limit the number of customers allowed in the store to groups of around 10 at a time.
Police were eventually called to help control the crowds, who afterwards were seen speaking with customers encouraging them to abide by the current social distancing rules.
