June 15, 2020 12.57 pm This story is over 60 months old

People pile into Lincoln for lockdown shopping frenzy

Many retailers reopened on Monday
Lockdown Lincoln starting to look busier again near the Stonebow. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

People across the UK have been urged to spend to restart the economy — and people in Lincoln did just that.

Hundreds queued from as early 5am at stores across the city on Monday, most notably Primark on the High Street and at Sports Direct in the St Marks Shopping Centre.

Monday, June 15 was the first day that relaxed lockdown guidelines allowed non-essential shops to reopen, including clothes retailers.

The Waterside Shopping Centre also reopened, as well as several local traders including Gere Menswear and a number of chains such as Sports Direct.

Socially distanced queue at St Marks Shopping Centre. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Keep Lincoln Safe — urge stickers on the pavement across the city. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Local traders

Rob McGuire owner at Gere Menswear on Lincoln HIgh Street. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Gere Menswear has been doing some one-on-one personal shopping during lockdown, which is working well for owner Rob McGuire, who hopes it will continue in the future.

The shop officially reopened on Monday and staff can steam clean items to be put aside if needs be.

Owner Rob McGuire told The Lincolnite it was good to be back into a normal routine and is looking forward to welcoming more customers back.

Gere Menswear. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Rob Ashworth from Cornhill Shoe Repair at Lincoln Central Market. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Rob Ashworth, owner at Cornhill Shoe Repair in the central market, said it was quiet this morning, but he got a few jobs in and it felt like he hadn’t been away.

However, he feels it may be a few months before people’s shopping habits begin to return to normal again.

Some more stalls are now back open at Lincoln Central Market. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Robert Payton, owner at Eskimoo on St Mark’s Square. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Robert Payton, owner at Eskimoo on St Mark’s Square, said it felt like the “first day in a new job” and wished they had a queue like Primark, but they are “all ready and happy to be back open”.

Customers can pop into Eskimoo’s stores to place an order. They will then need to wait outside for their order to be passed through the serving window.

Jack Thorpe, shop keeper at The Mouse House in the Waterside Shopping Centre, which is owned by Mollie Haines. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Jack Thorpe, shop keeper at The Mouse House in the Waterside Shopping Centre, said: “It is lovely to be back open. It will be steady for a little while but, when people get used to us being back and people know we are open, they will start coming back more.”

Independent shops back open on Guildhall Street in Lincoln. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Hand sanitising point inside the Waterside Shopping Centre. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Waterside Shopping Centre reopened on June 15. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Waterside Shopping Centre reopened on Monday with a selection of shops including Three and Skechers back for business, while others open on later dates including The Body Shop on Tuesday, June 16.

Pandora, the world’s largest jewellery brand, will be opening next to The Fragrance Shop close to the centre’s High Street entrance on June 19.

Inside the Waterside Shopping Centre. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Topshop Topman is now back open. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Safety measure have been put in place at Topshop Topman at the Waterside Shopping Centre. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Primark had queues outside all morning on Monday, June 15. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Queues at St Marks Shopping Centre. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The queue waiting to get into Boots on Lincoln High Street. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Shopping in Lincoln as non-essential retailers reopened on June 15. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The queue for Wilko. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Starting to look busier again near the Stonebow. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Some queues were seen outside Cash Converters on Lincoln High Street on Monday morning. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The small queue at Shoe Zone in Lincoln. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

People waiting on the High Street outside JD Sports in Lincoln. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincoln High Street starting to look busier again after many non-essential retailers reopened on Monday, June 15. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Many non-essential retailers reopened on Monday, June 15. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Queues continue to be seen at banks in Lincoln. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Costa Coffee is among the shops not yet open. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Don’t forget to use hand sanitiser. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Markings on the floor to help with social distancing. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Blacks is now back open on Lincoln High Street. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite