It’s so good to be back...doing all the stuff we love
THOUSANDS of fun-seekers defied the April snow showers and freezing temperatures as life took a step towards normality yesterday – with people going back to the places that “stitch and thread our communities together”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the nation to “behave responsibly” as shops, indoor gyms and swimming pools, nail salons and zoos welcomed customers back as part of the latest stage of his reopening plan.
The Centre for Economic and Business Research said there will be a £700million boost to the UK economy this week as a result.
Footfall across all retail destinations in the UK was up 101 per cent by midday on Monday compared with a week earlier, figures from Springboard showed.
Footfall at all UK retail destinations had risen by
146 per cent by 5pm on Monday compared with a week ago.
Shopping centre numbers rose by 217 per cent, while high street footfall increased by 174 per cent.
However, the figures were still down 16 per cent compared with Monday April 15, 2019. But it rose by 481.5 per cent compared to Monday April 13, 2020 – the height of the first lockdown.
Shoppers started queuing in the early hours yesterday. Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools also reopened, with bosses describing it as “a little bit like Christmas”.
Mr Johnson said: “I’m sure it will be a huge relief for business owners who have been closed for so long, and for everyone else it’s a chance to get back to doing some of the things we love and have missed. I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ to suppress Covid as we push on with our vaccination programme.” Ross Bailey, who started the Save the Street campaign, said: “Covid made us realise how much we need our local shops and how much they mean to us.
“That bakery on the corner is more than just a place to buy bread, and that familyrun bookshop, it’s been inspiring people for generations.
“These little places stitch and thread our communities together and are so important for helping to define our culture.”
Hundreds of people queued outside the world’s largest Primark in Birmingham as it reopened for the first time in months.
Ally Mitchell, who was there with her friend Ellie Lloyd, said it had been “very hard” for the younger generation.
“We have missed out on everything so we need to experience our summer to be honest.” Deirdre Peachey, 64, of Sevenoaks, Kent, travelled to London with daughter Erin, 42, and grandkids Charlie, six, and Eva, five, for a shopping trip.
She said: “‘It’s a bit chilly sitting out here but it’s wonderful to be able to shop again. I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. I’ve felt quite safe being out and about and it’s very reassuring to see people taking all the precautions required.
“I feel as if I’ve been locked up for the past year and it’s just great to be able to go out and do normal things.”
Erin added: “I love coming into central London to shop or have a meal and I have really missed it. I’m delighted that I’ve been able to do this today because it feels that life is slowly returning to normal.
“The kids have absolutely loved it. They’re really happy to be on their holidays and have a day out at the shops.”
Jessica Palmerston, 35 from Walthamstow, East London, said: “I have been waiting for Primark to reopen for the past three months. I hate shopping online, I love going into this shop because it’s a real