Big rush for the shops before shutters come down again
Shoppers flocked to high street stores and popular retail outlets to pick up early Christmas presents ahead of lockdown.
Streams of people filled Wolverhampton city centre yesterday, where queues stretched from outside shops including Primark, Card Factory and Holland & Barrett.
Meanwhile, there was also large queues at Ikea Birmingham, in Wednesbury.
Among those standing in line at Primark was Laura Workman, aged 36, from Low Hill, Wolverhampton.
She said: "I've come shopping here because of lockdown being enforced on Thursday and I haven't even thought about Christmas.
"My daughter's birthday is right after lockdown finishes. What do you do? I don't want to be here but you feel like you have got no choice.
"It is being able to give my children something to open on Christmas day, even if it is slippers and pyjamas. I'm not happy about lockdown."
Fellow customer Ama Ndziba, 21, who lives in Wolverhampton but is originally from Ghana, was also standing in the queue.
She is planning to travel home on December 8.
Ama said: "I'm here to get some stuff because I don't know when this lockdown will end.
"I am just getting it so when it is time, I can get my stuff and go. I agree with the lockdown to some extent."
Sorush Aghajan, 25, from Wolverhampton, added: "If I wasn't here, I would probably order online. Technically, I agree with lockdown because there is something happening."
It appeared a busy shopping day on Dudley Street, in the city centre, where shoppers came out to shop in stores before lockdown.
There were also queues outside stores such as Holland & Barrett and the Card Factory, where people where picking up early Christmas cards at the latter shop.
Paul and Jeanette Yeomans, in their 60s, from Essington, were among those buying cards.
Mrs Yeomans said: "We are out here for some last-minute shopping for Christmas cards and presents before the shops close."
Paul added: "We were in Asda yesterday and there was no panic buying. The only thing was lacking was toilet rolls.
"I think people have calmed down a little bit."
On the last day of shopping on Wednesday before lockdown, Wolverhampton Council urged people to maintain social-distancing and wear face masks.
Councillor Stephen Simkins, cabinet member for city economy, said: "We all have a part to play in the fight against Covid-19 and it's incredibly important that we do everything we can to stop the spread of the virus.
"So, if you are off to the shops, remember not only to take your bags and your money, but also your face covering too.
"Respect your fellow shoppers and shop staff by wearing your face covering and keeping a safe distance from one another.
More Covid-19 coverage:
"I would also urge against panic buying as supermarkets will remain open during the national lockdown and a number of non-essential shops offer online services.
"In these troubled times we need to think how we can care and help each other and not stockpile."
A spokesman for Primark also issued the same plea.
The company's spokesman said: "We continue to welcome customers into our stores in line with current government advice.
"Nothing matters more to us than the health and wellbeing of our employees and customers.
"We have extensive health and safety measures in place including a strict social distancing protocol and limits on the number of customers allowed in store.
"Dedicated employees and security staff are on hand to help ensure these measures are adhered to. We continue to closely follow all safety advice from government across all our stores."
