Delight and caution as crowds flock to shops

Shoppers have been thanked for supporting Sunderland’s businesses as they flocked back to visit stores for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began.

Stores in the city centre including TK Maxx, Primark and Sports Direct saw people starting to queue from early in the morning, with a “steady” flow of visitors heading into the Bridges.

The scenes come as the Echo is running its #SupportLocal campaign urging shoppers to support local traders.

However, although the opening of shops has been seen as a welcome return by city centre organisations, shoppers are still being advised to take note of the new rules.

Sunderland BID staff were on hand to help manage waiting customers keep their distance from each other, with signs and tape used to remind people of the rules and set out one-way systems.

Many shops have installed protective shields around their counters, with fitting rooms cordoned off, hand sanitiser supplied and waiting systems set up to keep the number of people inside stores to a minimum.

“We have had a steady stream of people come into the centre with certain stores being exceptionally busy,” said Duncan Allen, building and services director at the Bridges.

“People are getting used to the new one-way system yet and when our security team have pointed it out to them they have been very receptive and taken notice of the advice.”

Sharon Appleby, head of business operations at Sunderland BID, said the city centre had been busy and appealed to people to remember the new rules.