Large queue builds outside Chesterfield Primark as non-essential shops reopen

The store, in Market Place, opened at 8am this morning and lengthy queues are already beginning to form with shoppers keen to get their retail fix.

It comes as non-essential shops, pub beer gardens, hair salons, and gyms reopen today in Chesterfield for the first time since before Christmas.

Primark is open from 8am to 8pm every day this week, with many stores across the country offering extended opening hours to allow for shoppers to make up for lost time.

PEOPLE: How Derbyshire people can get free rapid coronavirus testing kits to use at home

Elsewhere, Boris Johnson has urged the nation to “behave responsibly” as pub beer gardens reopen and restaurants resume outdoor dining in a major easing of England’s coronavirus lockdown.

The Prime Minister urged caution during the “major step forward” as a scientist advising the Government warned the rules must be followed to minimise a possible rebound in case numbers.

“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.”

We will be bringing you all the latest updates as lockdown eases across Chesterfield and north Derbyshire today.

To keep up-to-date follow our live blog here.

A message from Phil Bramley, Derbyshire Times Editor

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper.