Mcb777 CasinoPrimark shoppers queue from dawn for first chance to grab a bargain as April 12 rules mean non-essential shops reopen | The Sun - Mcb777 Cricket

EAGER shoppers queued from dawn to grab a bargain at Primark as non-essential shops reopened today.

Brits hit the High Street early this morning as coronavirus restrictions were eased after four months of lockdown.

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Huge queues as shoppers waited to enter Primark in BirminghamCredit: SnapperSK

Brits were eager to grab a bargain at Britain's biggest Primark store this morningCredit: SnapperSK

Shoppers queuing outside a Primark store in West Thurrock, Essex this morningCredit: Alamy

Shoppers queue outside a Primark store in Southampton this morningCredit: Alamy

One shopper grabbed a bargain at Primark in West ThurrockCredit: Alamy

Shoppers leave Primark in Truro, Cornwall this morningCredit: Getty

The Primark store in the Lakeside shopping centre in West Thurrock, Essex opened at 6amCredit: Alamy

Pictures show shoppers queuing outside a Primark stores in Birmingham and West Thurrock, Essex, as the retailer opened its doors at 6am.

The retail giant has reopened 160 shops in England and Wales today, with opening hours extended across almost all stores.

This week, stores will open for two extra hours a day on average - typically an hour earlier and later.

Only essential shops have been allowed to open since January in the latest lockdown, including supermarkets and pharmacies.

It comes as:

Boris Johnson urged Brits to behave responsibly as pubs reopened
Brits flocked to get haircuts for the first time in months as salons reopened
Here is our ultimate guide to lockdown rules as they are eased today
Brits have been urged to raise a toast to Prince Philip following the Duke's death on Friday
Boris Johnson had his personal barber visit Downing Street this morning for a fresh trim

Meanwhile, Brits also hit the pubs and the gym early this morning as lockdown restrictions were eased.

Keen punters were seen waiting patiently in line for pubs to open at midnight.

Shaggy-haired Brits also flocked to get their hair cut for the first time in months as salons reopened at midnight.

Pent-up demand will see £1.5billion — that’s £2.7million a minute — spent in venues and reopening attractions between 9am and 6pm.

Work leave requests for today are up almost 20 per cent.

Early morning shoppers stand in line outside the Primark store in Oxford StreetCredit: PA

The first shoppers wave as they enter the Primark store in Oxford StreetCredit: PA

Early morning shoppers stand in line outside Primark, Birmingham, waiting for the store to reopenCredit: PA

A customer hunts for a bargain inside the shop in Birmingham this morningCredit: Reuters

Early morning shoppers gather outside the JD Sports store in Oxford StreetCredit: PA

Speaking ahead of the reopening, Paul Marchant, Primark's chief executive, said: “It’s great to be back.

"Our stores are fully stocked with fresh new season fashion, all at Primark’s famous amazing prices.

"Between our great value, everyday must-haves and hot new season trend collections, we’ve got everything our customers have been waiting for."

Boris Johnson urged the nation to "behave responsibly" as shops and pubs reopened after months of lockdown.

"I'm sure it will be a huge relief for those business owners who have been closed for so long, and for everyone else it's a chance to get back to doing some of the things we love and have missed," Mr Johnson said.

"I urge everyone to continue to behave responsibly and remember 'hands, face, space and fresh air' to suppress Covid as we push on with our vaccination programme."

BIG DAY

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said it was a "big day" for reopening businesses, and that many were "excited and desperate" to welcome customers back.

"It's a big day for the country and it's a big day for all of these businesses reopening their doors today," she told Sky News.

"They are very excited and desperate to welcome their customers back (with) the focus on safety."