Primark reopening: Shoppers' excitement shows no sign of wavering as huge queues seen in Bristol

Huge queues are still being seen outside Primark's Bristol branch on the fourth day since lockdown eased.

Non-essential retail was one of the sectors allowed to reopen on Monday (April 12) along with outdoor hospitality, gyms, salons, hairdressers and outdoor attractions.

Eager Primark fans queued along Horsefair early in the morning in time for its opening, although some shoppers arriving later in the day said they walked straight in.

It would appear that shoppers' excitement to get back is showing no sign of wavering, with massive queues spotted again outside the shop today (Thursday, April 15).

Get the biggest stories from across Bristol straight to your inbox.

Pictures taken shortly before midday show a long trail of shoppers lining from the entrance all the way along Horsefair, around the building and back along the pavement next to the A38.

A Primark employee could be seen holding a 'queue starts here' sign to avoid confusion about where new customers were supposed to join.

The line of shoppers wrapped all the way around the building back along the A38 (John Myers/Bristol Live)

One passer-by tweeted at about 3.30pm advising that the queue was "about 600 yards long" when he spotted it earlier, which is about half a kilometre.

Those patiently waiting in the sunshine at about 12.30pm found themselves in the front row for the eighth Kill the Bill protest held in Bristol city centre this afternoon.

The store entrance is located next to the bus stop along Horsefair (John Myers/Bristol Live)

The sun was shining while people waited their turn (John Myers/Bristol Live)

A group of about 50 Extinction Rebellion protesters marched from Castle Park to Bridewell Police Station and on to College Green, passing Horsefair along the way.

The budget retailer does not have an online shop, so fans have been unable to get their fix of fashion and homeware since before Christmas.

While shoppers might have wanted to avoid the crowds that were expected on Monday, it seems many people had the same thought in waiting, as today's line appears even longer than those seen earlier in the week.

Large queues are also still being reported elsewhere today, including outside branches in Kent and Liverpool.

Shops are still limiting the number of people allowed inside to ensure social distancing during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.