Millions flock to shops on first weekend since lockdown lifted
Watch: Shoppers fill high streets on busy Saturday
Millions have flocked to high streets in England on the first Saturday since lockdown was lifted, with one shopper saying it was the “busiest it had been in 10 months”.
People filled town and city centres across the country as they made the most of the relaxed COVID-19 restrictions under the new tiering system, which came into force on Wednesday.
One shopper in London’s Oxford Street tweeted: “Well what a turnaround. Just been out in Oxford Street and it is the busiest I have seen it in 10 months.
“Great to see, but also feels weird being surrounded by so many people.”
Another person added: “I don’t think I’ve seen Oxford street so busy. Queues everywhere, people barging as you walk. Madness.”
Joining them in the capital was London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who took the time to take selfies with people.
He said: “It’s quite clear speaking to shopkeepers, businesses and those in retail, they’ve had a horrendous nine months, they’re keen to make sure this golden month and this golden quarter they can make up some of the ground lost.
“They’ve seen the collapse of international tourism, the collapse of domestic tourism, and that’s why they really need our support.
“Unless we support our shops we can’t be surprised if, due to a combination of Covid and lack of business, shops close and people lose their jobs.”
Khan said it was important people continued to follow the rules, with the majority of England under Tier 2 and 3 of the new restrictions, which limit social contact between households but allow non-essential stores to open.
It came as Primark defended itself against accusations opening 24 hours a day could cause a third wave of COVID-19 infections.
A spokesperson for the clothing store said it had "rigorous health and safety measures in place, including a strict social distancing protocol and limits on the number of customers allowed in store".
Saturday coincided with Small Business Saturday, an annual event which takes place on the first Saturday of December.
Now in its eighth year in the UK, a record 17.6 million people supported small independent businesses on last year’s Small Business Saturday, spending an estimated £800 million.
With less than three weeks until Christmas, shoppers are being urged to shop locally in a push to save small businesses from financial ruin.
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