'Feels good to be back' as shoppers return to Mansfield

Mansfield town centre has once again been filled with shoppers as non-essential shops were finally given the go ahead to reopen on June 15.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Shops opened their doors for the first time since March when they were forced to close by the government’s lockdown measures.

Staff welcomed hordes of excited shoppers as soon as they opened, with some queuing for Primark from 5.30am, and a small police presence helped shop staff ensure queues were managed safely.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The queue for Primark reached the marketplace by the time they opened at 8.30am, with Niketta Bowerman and her friend Lerissa being two of the first through the doors.

Shoppers return to Mansfield town centre.Shoppers return to Mansfield town centre.
Shoppers return to Mansfield town centre.

Niketta, from Mansfield, said: “We got here at 7.30am as we expected it to be busy – we couldn’t believe people had been here for two hours already.

“I have three children and it’s been so hard getting clothes for them online, so we couldn’t wait to come here today.

“It felt pretty normal inside to be fair, they only let 25 people in so everyone could stay apart.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We also caught up with singer Wes Dolan who regularly busks in the town centre, and decided to dust off his guitar for the day.

Wes Dolan returns to Mansfield for the first time since lockdown.Wes Dolan returns to Mansfield for the first time since lockdown.
Wes Dolan returns to Mansfield for the first time since lockdown.

He said: “I was dubious about coming down but thought I’d give it a go.

“It feels good to be back, all my weddings and gigs have been cancelled so I needed to get back into performing again.

“Its so nice to see all the regulars and get back to some kind of normality – its been so hard mentally and financially for everyone.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Nancy Fielder, editor

Related topics: