SHOPPERS queued for to two hours as south Essex shops reopened for business for the first time in three months.

All non-essential shops, which have been closed since March, were able to throw open their doors for the first time since late March.

And some shoppers across Southend and Basildon couldn’t wait to get back to the swing of things.

In Southend, the High Street was flourishing with shoppers carrying their latest purchases, but it was certainly a very different way of shopping that may take some getting used to.

Echo:

In line - shoppers proved to be very patient 

The largest queue was for Primark, with queues starting at the Royals Shopping Centre entrance in Heygate Avenue, and went right they way around the building along Church Road.

Michelle Fisher, 39, from Woodgrange Drive, in Southend, said: “I’ve been here since 8am so I’ve waited more than two hours but I expected it, and to be honest I really need some essentials like baby clothes and pants and socks for my kids.

“I am glad they are taking everyone’s safety so seriously though as I was a bit worried of having to have a wrestling match in there thinking people were all going to be bunching together in the same aisles.”

Shoppers were also able to access the Royals from the High Street entrance, which saw queues developing towards Pier Hill by the seafront.

In Basildon, shoppers faced two hour-long queues at Sports Direct, at the Eastgate Centre, and lines for Primark curved round the side of the store before looping back to the entrance.

Businesses across Wickford and Billericay looked forward to welcoming their regulars back into the shops, with PPE at the ready for the re-opening.

Some were overwhelmed with customers whilst other independent shops were greeted with a quieter morning, helping ease them back into the swing of things.

Nico Coleby, director at Coleby’s Jewellers in Billericay High Street, said: “It feels so strange to be back where we’ve been shut since the end of March. It’s good to see everyone being careful and it’s exciting to see our customers again.”