SHOPPERS are queueing outside clothes and card stores ahead of non-essential retailers being forced to close from tomorrow under new national lockdown restrictions.

The biggest line was seen outside Primark in Western Road, Brighton, shortly before noon where about 40 shoppers waited their turn to enter the chain.

The lengthy queue stretched along Western Road and round the corner, continuing up the adjacent Crown Street.

The Argus:

H&M, also in Western Road, was another store to draw a crowd.

Masked shoppers waited patiently in line for their turn to go into the shop.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, The Card Factory also had queues stretching away from its entrance.

The Argus:

With non-essential retailers being ordered by the government to shut until December 2 under the new lockdown rules, this may be the last chance for many people to buy Christmas cards from high street stores if they want to send them to friends and family at the start of next month.

There are currently 51 days until Christmas, but shoppers will only have a 23 day window to do their festive shopping in person if the national lockdown is lifted as planned.

The rules of this second lockdown, if it is approved by parliament today, will come into effect at midnight tonight.

The Argus:

The new national restrictions mean:

  • People are being urged to stay at home, unless they are leaving the house for education, work (if it cannot be done from home), exercise, medical reasons, to care for others or food shopping
  • Pubs and restaurants will be forced to close, but takeaways and deliveries are permitted
  • Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will also close, but supermarkets can sell non-essential goods
  • There will be no household mixing indoors or in private gardens unless it is with someone in a household's support bubble
  • Schools, colleges and universities are set to stay open