Primark store is extending its hours

Sunderland’s giant Primark store will open for extra hours next week to help reduce the risk of coronavirus to customers and staff.

Non-essential shops across the country will be able to open from Monday as the easing of the third national lockdown continues.

The clothing giant has announced plans to offer extended opening hours across almost every store in England and Wales to help reduce queues, spread demand and give customers more time to shop safely.

For the first week initially, stores will open for two extra hours per day on average, typically an hour earlier and later, with times varying by store.

The High Street West branch will be open from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, April 12-16, and 8am to 7pm on Saturday, April 17.

Primark chief executive Paul Marchant said: “Safety remains at the front of our minds.

“We have extended opening hours across almost all of our stores to help meet demand safely but we’ re also asking our customers to keep up the support and spirit they showed last year, particularly if queuing outside or in-store.”

While the Bridges shopping centre has been open throughout lockdown for essential shopping, many of its high street retailers have been closed since early January in line with Government lockdown rules.

Popular names including Primark, H&M, Lush, The Fragrance Shop, Footasylum, Next, Hotel Chocolat and Water stones have confirmed they will open their doors for the first time in months on Monday.

Masks must be worn and social-distancing measures will be in place.