A local council has issued emergency funding to the Abbey Centre in Newtownabbey after shoppers flocked to their Primark store over the weekend.
Antrim and Newtownabbey Council said they had provided the funding for "additional security" in order to help manage social distancing at the centre.
Meanwhile, it is understood that both Primark and the Abbey Centre have been issued with Improvement Notices following Saturday's events.
The notices are usually issued when it's believed that Health and Safety legislation is not being adhered to.
The Primark outlet announced last month that it would be open for 33 hours continuously from 9am on Friday (December 11) right through until 6pm on Saturday (December 12).
Primark said employee and customer safety was their "highest priority".
A spokesperson added: "We are working in partnership with Abbey Centre management to help manage queues and ensure safety guidelines are being followed.”
Shoppers were allowed into the store on Friday after a two-week circuit breaker was lifted in Northern Ireland.
In a statement issue on Monday, the Antrim and Newtownabbey Council said: "Our Environmental Health Team has been liaising closely with the Abbeycentre management to advise on the measures which need to be put in place to ensure the safety of the public.
"The Council has provided the Abbeycentre a supply of face coverings to distribute free of charge to shoppers.
"In light of the event at the weekend, and after consultation with the PSNI, the Council is issuing Improvement Notices to both the Abbeycentre and Primark Stores Limited, Abbeycentre.
"We will continue to work with both sets of Managers to ensure barriers, face coverings and any other reasonable assistance is provided to ensure compliance.
"The Council will continue to keep the matter under review."
The Abbey Centre have been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
