Sunderland shoppers explain why they queued as shops reopen after lockdown

As of midnight on Wednesday, December 2, the national Covid-19 lockdown in England ended, meaning that non-essential shops could reopen for the first time since November.

Shoppers flocked to Sunderland city centre, with queues outside Primark on High Street West at 8am ahead of it opening – however they were relatively short in comparison to the lifting of the first lockdown in June.

Pam Robinson was one of those in the city centre early after struggling to buy some items for Christmas online.

The 53-year-old carer said: “I’ve been looking for matching Christmas pyjamas online and couldn’t find them anywhere so I came down early to get some and that’s me done for Christmas.

“When I got here, I was shocked at how short the queue was, I was expecting it to be really long. It was gridlocked last time.”

She wasn’t the only one who was surprised by the lack of queues, Violet Lewis was also out getting the last of her Christmas shopping.

The 72-year-old commented: “I’m just getting the last bits that I need for Christmas. I’m a little bit nervous to go in the shops but as there is no queues at the moment, I’ll quickly grab what I need and get out.”

Beating the rush to finish Christmas shopping seemed to be the theme as Lesley Wardell from Houghton left Primark with almost everything she needed.

The 50-year-old said: “I’ve came early to beat the rush and it’s been quiet so far. I’m nearly finished for Christmas, hopefully I’ll get the last of my shopping today.”

Husband and wife, Raymond and Margaret Fort from Houghton, were among those in Sunderland city centre, with Margaret having sympathy for retail workers.

She said: “It’s a shame that shops are having to keep opening and closing, it’s affecting so many people’s jobs.

“I don’t like to shop online, I like to see things before I buy them so I’m pleased they are open again.”

Raymond added: “We’re not here for the shops but people will now be out looking for a bargain with them reopening.”

Ahead of opening at 9am, queues were building outside of Debenhams – just 24 hours after the department store chain announced that rescue talks to save it had broken down.

Elizabeth Robinson was one customer shopping at the store, which has been a part of Sunderland’s high street for 20 years.

The 73-year-old said: “The high street will just be dead, Debenhams is one of the main shops. I can easily spend an hour and a half in there.”

It appeared that many had done the majority of their Christmas shopping online and wanted presents in as soon as possible.

Tracey Khdir, aged 46 from Sunderland added: “I’ve ordered what I can online but I’m just finishing my Christmas shopping today.

“There are somethings that you want to see before buying.”

For some like Nicky Aslan, it was just being able to head to the shops following the month-long lockdown.

He commented: “Lockdown knocked me back so it’s nice to get out again. I’m quickly going to grab what I need before it gets busy.”

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