Queues round the block for Primark’s city debut
THE opening of Liverpool’s first Primark store surpassed all expectations yesterday with huge numbers of shoppers attending.
Last night the store was even forced to stay open for an extra hour with around 1,000 customers still inside at 6.45pm.
The five-storey shop, famed for its low prices and “disposable fashion” ethos, opened at 9am but had people queuing to get in from two hours earlier.
Throughout the day long queues stretched along Church Street and round the corner on Church Alley, reaching right down to the Athenaeum Club at one point. Staff handed out balloons to those waiting with children.
Crash barriers were erected around the perimeter of the store and there was a small police presence although no trouble was reported.
Security handled the queues with a “one in one out” system having to be put in place over the lunchtime period as the shop was so crammed.
Primark director Breege O’Donoghue said “It was a fantastic day that beat all expectations.
“It was a great atmosphere in store all day with customers and staff alike. We’ve had really positive feedback from the customers, especially about the second floor, housing the lingerie and the menswear located on the ground floor.
“We had tremendous support from police and everything ran really smoothly, better than we could have hoped.”
Early shoppers were full of enthusiasm for the store.
Liz Molyneux had been in many Primark stores across the country before and wanted to see how the Liverpool shop compared. “Some of the shops I’ve been in are quite small and seem really messy so I want to see the different in this really big branch”.
Andrea Sharp said: “The event was so well organised with really helpful staff.
“The cashiers were really efficient getting through the queues really quickly”
Laura Pickington and Lauren McKee came across from Heswall especially for the event. “We’ve bought a whole new wardrobe each as there was so much choice and its all at really cheap prices.
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“The staff were brilliant, so helpful showing us where everything was and really friendly at the same time”.
Campaigners are planning to protest outside the shop on Saturday against poor wages in the third world, though Primark insists it has a strong ethical policy.
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