‘It’s an absolute nightmare’ – Shoppers in Sunderland city centre have their say on the second national lockdown

From midnight on Thursday, November 5, non-essential shops will be closed until December 2 as England enters a second national lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The coming closure saw the public head to the shops throughout the North East to get what they need before lockdown begins, with queues for shops such as Card Factory and Primark forming in Sunderland city centre on Wednesday.

Fast food worker Caitlin Richardson was out Christmas shopping. She believes that shops shouldn’t need to shut.

The 22-year-old said: “It’s been an absolute nightmare, I’ve had to come down and get my son some clothes for Christmas, children are always growing and always need clothes.

"I know you can go online but it is better to get them in person.”

Caitlin wasn’t the only person finding shopping difficult, 33-year-old Lisa Smith shared her experience of having to queue with her son in a pushchair.

The mum-of-two commented: “The queues are long again and you can’t get what you want, whenever you want it.

"It’s difficult when you’ve got young children, especially if they are in a pushchair as some shops are limiting how many are allowed in.

"I think this will be my last shopping day this year.”

Laura Gallagher, aged 89, was also finding the queues to be a problem, adding: “The shop queues have been ridiculous, people are just going crazy.

"I wouldn’t dare venture into Primark, the queue is that long.”

For some, it was a return to what it was like before the Covid-19 outbreak at the start of this year.

Kris Lovestad said: “It’s the busiest I’ve seen the town since before lockdown in March began, but we haven’t found it too bad.

"It seems like the worst queues are for Card Factory and Primark.”

Kris’ sister, Catherine Polly added: “I knew that it would be busy, I’d expect the pubs will be the same tonight.”

Not everyone was struggling with the surge of shoppers, 69-year-old Shelia Alderson had just come out of Primark.

She commented: “We’ve managed to get straight in most shops, some have had queues but they haven’t been too bad. Once your inside, it’s all good.”

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