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SHOPPERS spent six hours in queues to get into chaotic Primark stores today - before an hour-long wait to pay.

Eager people keen for a bargain lined up from midnight to get into shops, as the retail giant throws open its doors 24 hours-a-day.

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Queues to pay at the Primark in the Trafford Centre today
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Queues to pay at the Primark in the Trafford Centre todayCredit: @indiacollison/twitter
Huge queues built as shoppers waited to hit stores late last night
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Huge queues built as shoppers waited to hit stores late last nightCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
People were shocked to see shoppers waiting for six hours to get into the shop
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People were shocked to see shoppers waiting for six hours to get into the shop
Shoppers waited for an hour-and-a-half to get close to the tills to pay
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Shoppers waited for an hour-and-a-half to get close to the tills to pay

Shoppers complained of being in the queue to pay for over half an hour and barely moving, before finding out there were just two people on the tills.

And another person who braved the Trafford Centre Primark tweeted they had been in line for an hour and 20 minutes.

In Newcastle bargain-hunters had waited in a six hour queue to get straight in at midnight.

A stunned witness said: "Can't believe what I am seeing at 1am on Facebook live... People standing in three hour queues to get into the metro Primark."

Another wrote: "In Newcastle there is people waiting in a six hour queue at 12.30am to shop in Primark.... The shop is also open literally all day tomorrow."

The huge rush and long queues are likely because the store doesn't have an online site where customers can buy products.

It comes after the retail giant picked 11 stores across the country to remain open all day and night after a month of national restrictions that kept non-essential shops closed.

Eager shoppers waited patiently in huge snaking queues last night to ensure they could grab a Christmas bargain in the 24 hour stores.

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Queues have built since last night for people to get into Primarks across the country
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Queues have built since last night for people to get into Primarks across the countryCredit: Mirrorpix
Customers were still queuing outside some of the biggest branches at 2am
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Customers were still queuing outside some of the biggest branches at 2amCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
Huge queues were seen at Fort Shopping Park, Birmimgham
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Huge queues were seen at Fort Shopping Park, BirmimghamCredit: BPM Media
At Lakeside, chilly Brits wore hats and tried to warm their hands as they waited
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At Lakeside, chilly Brits wore hats and tried to warm their hands as they waitedCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun

Pictures and videos posted on social media showed shoppers queuing in the early hours of Thursday morning as they attempted to take advantage of the opportunity.

Student Katie Eames, who went to the White Rose branch in Leeds, said: "We decided we would just go at midnight because we thought it's never going to happen again that you can go at midnight to Primark."

The 24-year-old arrived at the store at around midnight and queued for about an hour to get in.

Hordes of people were seen braving the cold as they queued outside Primark Lakeside in West Thurrock, desperate to work through their Christmas shopping lists.

All other Primark stores will trade until at least 8pm on weekdays right up to Christmas Eve.

Yesterday, dubbed 'Wild Wednesday', shoppers queued in the dark from 5am for the first chance of Christmas shopping in other high street stores.

Primark CEO, Paul Marchant, said: “We are delighted to re-open our stores in England, with longer shopping hours to give our customers more time to safely do their festive shopping.

“All of our extensive safety measures remain in place to help ensure shopping at Primark is an enjoyable, safe experience for everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to say a heart-felt thank you to the NHS and all keyworkers.”

But it was worth it for Georgia and Vanessa Waterhouse, of Enfield, who queued to get into one store for around 45 minutes after arriving at 10pm
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But it was worth it for Georgia and Vanessa Waterhouse, of Enfield, who queued to get into one store for around 45 minutes after arriving at 10pmCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
Many left the shops clutching huge bags
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Many left the shops clutching huge bagsCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
Customers socially-distanced as they waited in line to go inside
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Customers socially-distanced as they waited in line to go insideCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
Security guards in high-vis jackets stood outside throughout the night
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Security guards in high-vis jackets stood outside throughout the nightCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
Stores across the country were packed with festive shoppers
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Stores across the country were packed with festive shoppersCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun

LIST OF PRIMARK STORES OPEN 24 HOURS

  • Trafford
  • York Monks Cross
  • Leeds White Rose
  • Bluewater
  • Lakeside
  • Birmingham Fort
  • Meadowhall
  • Stratford
  • White City
  • Charlton
  • Gateshead Metrocentre

On Wednesday shoppers splashed out a whopping £2.8million a minute.

Queues started building up in the early hours outside Debenhams — holding a closing down sale — and outlets including Primark and JD Sports.

Many customers were cheered by price cuts as shops cleared stock or extended Black Friday discounts.

Footfall was up 65 per cent compared with a week ago across High Streets, retail parks and shopping centres, according to data experts Springboard.

It comes amid a high street bloodbath, with the jobs of around 25,000 staff at Arcadia and Debenhams hanging in the balance.

Debenhams, which is shutting all 124 stores, were selling an £89 blue Multiway maxi dress for £15, with an Alexandre of England suit down from £132 to £25, and a Moda In Pelle black Wynona high wedge heel sandals down from £80 to £16.

One shop worker was at Lakeside in Grays, Essex, early this morning and was told by managers to expect large crowds.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

He said: “There were people here at 6am to go into Primark, they all came out holding bags.

"It’s definitely not as busy as it was last time that lockdown was lifted.”

Hundreds queued outside the Lakeside store, wrapping up warm as temperatures took a dive
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Hundreds queued outside the Lakeside store, wrapping up warm as temperatures took a diveCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
Wearing masks and keeping a safe distance shoppers patiently waited for the store to open its doors
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Wearing masks and keeping a safe distance shoppers patiently waited for the store to open its doorsCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
Wednesday was branded 'Wild Wednesday' as shoppers spent over £2million a minute
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Wednesday was branded 'Wild Wednesday' as shoppers spent over £2million a minute Credit: Nick Obank - The Sun
It comes amid a high street bloodbath, with the jobs of around 25,000 staff at Arcadia and Debenhams hanging in the balance
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It comes amid a high street bloodbath, with the jobs of around 25,000 staff at Arcadia and Debenhams hanging in the balanceCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
JD Sports was also swarmed with shoppers wanting to get the best deals, like these men spotted in this picture at Lakeside
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JD Sports was also swarmed with shoppers wanting to get the best deals, like these men spotted in this picture at LakesideCredit: Nick Obank - The Sun
Shoppers waited in line, whilst abiding social distancing rules, with full baskets
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Shoppers waited in line, whilst abiding social distancing rules, with full baskets Credit: Nick Obank - The Sun
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