What's it like going to the shops in England now?

[ssd]

Am not in England and our non essential retail is still closed.
So what's it like now in places like Primark and John Lewis?

No one?

I havent been to a big city centre but our local town high street was fine. All the shops had hand sanitizer on entry and most had a one way system. People were doing fine at social distance and I didnt feel "unsafe" at any time.

I imagine somewhere like John Lewis would have a strict one way system and "social distance champions" helping people out. Probably better organised than the little independent shops locally

A friend and I usually go regularly to primark but haven't been since lockdown and don't plan to. We're not shielding but i imagine people who are are even less likely to go. So I'd imagine it's less busy than normal

Weirdly was same as usual just less peoe

people.

I popped to the shops last week. Overall, the town centre was really busy, despite many shops still being closed.

Banks - huge queues outside, but I didn't go in.

Lush - serving from the door, so you can't go in, but they will bring you what you ask for. Remind me of playing shops as a child.

Flying tiger - they limited numbers entering, but only 1 cashier serving so the Store was congested anyway.

H and M - same long queues as always.

I'm in the queue to pay in Primark right now. It's fine, not too busy, queued for 5-10 minutes to get in, hand sanitiser at the door and all baskets cleaned after every use. It's really nice to be able to browse and shop for all the little bits and pieces Primark is so good for.

I am just on my way home from the Bullring in Birmingham. Pretty quiet, hand sanitiser everywhere, people mostly observing distancing. I went into the Disney Store and you have to wear a mask in there but no other shop I went into asked you to.

It felt weird but ok...... I look forward to the day ‘normal’ shopping returns though!

Primark in my town centre was really quiet. Walked straight in, could easily social distance, hand sanitiser in there, and no queue to pay either. Easy!

My friend went to Primark yesterday and said it was the best visit she'd ever done. So empty and easy to get around.

I've not tried clothes shopping yet, as I like to try stuff on.

Thsnjs for all replies, it's very reassuring everywhere is well organised and sticking to the guidelines. I think it'll be a while till we're back to normal again.
It's the not trying clothes on I'll miss, I'm not a regular size and really need to try on, it's the thought of having to return a load of stuff on the bus that puts me off. Still, I'm all for it if it's keeps workers and customers safe.

It’s a bit stressy! I have an appointment in Chelsea and was looking forward to a sashay along the Kings Road afterwards, but I think I’ll head home.

@Etinox, what's stressful about it, is it too busy to social distance?

I went last week and shops were quite but I deliberately went at 12.30pm and with hardly any food shops/cafes open people don’t shop and go for l7nch.

Shops were fine in general, we have a two storey shopping mall and when whops go over both floors there is normally a one floor in, the other out solution.

Smaller units have only allowed 1-3 people in, caused a bit of problems with a family of 6 until the sales Assitant realised that it was a family and not several independent people.

H&M was the worst for me, in the store it was fine but they had only one till open (normally three till blocks with 2-4 tills in each block) and people didn’t really queued with social distancing in mind.

I desperately need tops, I threw lots out last autumn after a warm holiday and are just left with a handful plus work tops which don’t really go with cargo capris and I also have a large bust, i need to try and see the fit. So online ordering will be fun for a while.

Not been myself but it seems from the posts that now is the time to go because people are still cautious about going. I’m feeling in need of a primark fix myself, plus the girls need some essential bits like socks and leggings

[quote ssd]@Etinox, what's stressful about it, is it too busy to social distance?[/quote]
It’s more that 50% people don’t socially distance and the others look panicked that you’re not going to!

I see! I think it'll all take a bit of getting used to right enough.

I went on Saturday morning to a town centre. They handled it really well, had made it one way and people mostly followed it. Primark was fine, I think they had too many people in the store though.
I’ve just seen Stacey solomon on Instagram at Westfield and she’s in lush. I think a lot of stores were very vigilant the first few days but have calmed down a bit now. My friend went to primark the first couple of days and they kept telling people off for touching things unless you were buying. She was trying to get the right size vest all stacked up it was hard to avoid!
I’m heading to an intu centre at the weekend so will see what that’s like!

DD and I went to Bluewater on Wednesday . Fairly quiet as midweek.
Got there about 10am, some of the carparks (including the one I always go to) closed off .

Small queue to get into JL , hand sanitisers at the door
Primark had maybe 30 people queuing t get in, not too bad instore , queued 10 minutes to pay . Werd not being able to touch things as I'd like .
Superdugs small queue

Didn't stay long , didn't eat or drink or go to the loo.

Didn't go to M&S , my DD hates that shop so I graciously said I'd give it a miss .

Hardly anyone in masks (I kept mine on, I wear one at work so I'm fine with it)