Primark queues as Queensgate reopens

Queensgate had a busy start to trading on Monday as non-essential stores were able open for the first time in months. Primark was the big attraction for many, with scores of people queuing up to pick up a bargain.

Queues stretched out the door and into St John’s Square as people waited for their chance to get in the store.

Other stores were also busy, as people took the chance to indulge in a spot of retail therapy. Hand sanitiser was available for shoppers, and there were reminders for everyone to wear facemasks to keep staff and customers safe.

However, two of the shopping centre’s biggest names did not open today, after the announcement that Next and John Lewis would be closing their Queensgate stores permanently.

The stores opening in Queensgate this week are:

3, Ann Summers, Beaverbrooks, Better Brows, Body Shop, Boots, Burger King, Card Factory, Claires, Clarks, Clintons, Costa, Damaged, Deichmann, Disney, Ernest Jones (L) & Ernest Jones (U), Eurochange, F Hinds, Fatface, Fragrance Shop, Fraser Hart, Game, Greggs, H Samuels, H&M,

Hotel Chocolate, JD Sports, Jeans and Jeans, Joules, Krispy Kreme, Lakeland, Lush, MAC, M&S, McDonalds, Menkind, Michael John, Monsoon, New Look, O2, Office, Pandora, Paperchase, Perfume Shop, PhoneXperts, Primark, Quiz, Richardsons Cycles, River Island, Schuh, Skechers, Sky, Supercuts, Superdrug, Superdry, Swarovski, Tiger, TUI, Turtle Bay, Vision Express, Vodafone, Warren James and Yankee Candle.

Stores opening in Westgate Arcade are: Clues, Fast Stitch, Maysons, Phone Trader, Pulse, Rather Gifted, Soul Happy, Style, Swivels, Oculist, The Right Time.