See huge queues outside Primark in Sunderland as non-essential shops reopen in the city

Dozens of shoppers have been queuing outside the store on High Street West in Sunderland on Monday, June 15.

Non-essential shops have been closed since the UK went into lockdown on March 23 in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.

From today, all retailers can reopen as long as they are following social distancing guidelines and have carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment.

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Primark is now welcoming back customers, with a social distancing measures in place inside the store and a restriction on the number of shoppers allowed in at any one time.

The queue outside was doubled back on itself this morning – with the first customer waiting for the doors to reopen from 6.30am.

Only one entrance is open from High Street West, to limit crowds in The Bridges shopping centre.

Primark bosses and team members, as well as staff from Sunderland City Council are on hand to help manage the waiting shoppers outside and ensure people are keeping two metres apart.

New signs and markings on the pavement are also reminding people to follow social distancing rules.

One shopper waiting outside was Sharon Dring from South Shields, who has been working 12-hour shifts as a carer during the crisis.

She said she was happy to see other people and get back to “some normality”.

Sharon commented: “I’ve never been out, I’ve been working since the lockdown, so this is a one off.”

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