Shoppers queuing as Northampton gets back to business for first time in three months

Shoppers started queuing an hour before stores opened as Northampton town centre got back to business today.

Fashion giant Primark saw lines forming outside its Grosvenor Centre outlet as people waited for it to open for the first time in three months.

One mum in the queue admitted: "I'm here because I need clothes for my little girl — she's grown so much during the lockdown and you can only get so much from supermarkets.

"It feels good to be back but it's a bit scary. I feel wary."

Another shopper said: "I'm really excited to be here but I didn't think there would be a queue.

"I don't know what I'm looking for .. it just feels good to be shopping again."

Stickers on the floor marked where customers could stand two metres apart and marshals let shoppers into the store one family at a time. Kids clothes seemed to be top of everyone's wanted list.

LSports Direct was also popular with queues back down Abington Street before it opened.

Non-essential shops are finally allowed to unlock their doors for the first time in three months.

Northampton's has been a ghost town since Boris Johnson ordered all stores to close as part of the Covid-19 lockdown on March 23.

Among those opening its doors again is the Home by Scope charity shop which estimates it has lost £65,000 in takings during the enforced closure.

Borough Council car parks are still free to use until June 28 although on-street parking charges have been restored.

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