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

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.”

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