Shoppers flocked to the city centre today ( 15th June ) as restrictions on non-essential retail were lifted.
Queues formed at around 8 am outside Primark and spread to Old Market Square.
Sports Direct on Clumber Street also had large lines of people waiting to get in.
Shoppers lined up outside Zara and H&M too as the doors opened at around 09:30 – 10: 00 am.
H&M
Together, the non-essential retail sector employs 1.3 million people in high streets up and down the country and provides £46.6 billion to our economy every year. They’re able to reopen thanks to the ongoing efforts of people across the country to meet the Five Tests set out by the Prime Minister.
• Queues form at Sports Direct Nottingham
• Pictures: Broadmarsh – Collin Street walkthrough remains open despite centre closure
• Pictures: Nottingham Primark customers queue in their hundreds for store opening
• Waterstones West Bridgford and Nottingham reopen on Monday 15th June
Waterstones is one of the many shops set to open their doors again from Monday provided they follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines, such as limiting the number of customers allowed inside and frequently cleaning objects and surfaces. Waterstones have installed sneeze guards and sanitiser stations, and browsed books will be removed and quarantined.
Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
‘From Monday, shops selling books, clothes, and electronics are able to open for business for the first time in more than two months, as part of our plan to gradually and safely reopen the economy.
Primark
‘There are nearly 7,000 high streets across the country, each providing a valuable service to their community. They will be vital in helping kickstart the economy as we recover from the virus.’
The retail sector employs more people than any other sector in the UK and more than 10 million people live within 200 metres of a high street.
Kate Skipper, Waterstones’ Chief Operating Officer said:
‘We are delighted to be reopening on 15 June as we bring our shops safely out of hibernation. We can’t wait to welcome booklovers back to their natural habitat as we return to serving our customers within their communities. Healthy local high streets are vital to communities at all times, providing much-needed services and employment to their neighbourhoods.
Waterstones West Bridgford
‘New measures will be in place to ensure the safety of our customers and our booksellers but our shops will still be bursting full of interesting books to read. We look forward to seeing you there.’
