The streets of Aberdeen looked truly alive for the first time this year today, as the shops were finally able to throw open their doors to the public.
Groups of friends could be seen walking down Union Street, weighed down by bags from several top stores, as they savoured the opportunity to go shopping for fun for the first time since December.
Among them were students Zoe McCulkin, Rebecca Glasgow and Megan Hay, who were leaving Primark and preparing for the next stage of their spree.
Zoe said: “We spent £220 at Primark.
“Even though we got up so early, we don’t mind.
“We got up just before 7am and got in the queue at about 7.30am. There’s no queue now, I feel like in Aberdeen it’s not an essential whereas in England the queues were hectic.
“We thought we were going to be facing something like that, but we were really happy when we got here.”
Primark proves popular
The queue at the bargain clothes shop was not always so manageable, though.
Ahead of opening time at 8am and in the late morning, the socially distanced line stretched past around 10 neighbouring storefronts as dozens waited to gain access.
Carly Wilson and Clara Campbell were among those joining the queue some time after the shop opened.
Carly, 19, said: “I’m excited, but I’m a bit nervous. I’m glad everything’s open.
“We’re just going to go round all the shops today.”
Non-essential retail is not the only slice of the Scottish economy reopening today, as bars, pubs and restaurants welcome back customers for the first time in four months.
Several of the shoppers on Union Street were looking forward to getting out for a meal or a drink later in the week – if they were able to nab a coveted slot.
Carly said: “I’ve booked for Thursday, but everywhere is fully booked and you can’t get in short notice so today I’m probably just shopping.”
Rebecca Glasgow, from the group that spent £220 in Primark, said: “I’ve got an exam on Thursday, so we’ll be going out and celebrating that.”
‘We’ve got vouchers to use from Christmas’
Bethany and Lynn Robertson travelled in early from Peterhead to make the most of their first day of freedom in Aberdeen.
Bethany said: “It’s very good to get out and spend some money again.”
Lynn added: “We’ve got a lot of vouchers to use that we got for Christmas – Union Square, Primark, Zara.
“We’re going out for dinner as well, we came down from Peterhead and left at 7am.”
The length of the Primark queue was bewildering for one man, who was walking down Union Street and was most looking forward to being able to sit inside cafes again.
Tommy said: “I’ve been going out to Greggs every morning just to get breakfast.
“I live on my own, so I might be going out for a coffee now you’re allowed to sit in.”
For shopper Cheryl-Ann Green, the reopening of non-essential retail was an opportunity to draw a line under a particularly awful experience.
She said: “I’ve been inside for three months with Covid.
“I’m going back to work tomorrow, it’s my first day back because I’ve got long Covid and I’ve been recovering.
“I need to get some work clothes that fit, because I’ve lost so much weight from being ill.”
Kimberley O’Keefe, who was pushing a pram along the Primark queue, was also taking the chance to shop for necessities.
She said: “I’ve just had a baby during lockdown, so I’ve just been waiting because nothing was open.”
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the move to get shops trading again, but lamented the the speed at which reopening was taking place.
He said: “This is a very welcome, if overdue, step in getting our economy moving again.
“Companies have invested millions in ensuring a safe environment for customers and staff to get back into local shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and other businesses. We’d encourage those living throughout the North-east to get out and support our fantastic local businesses as we set out on the journey to rebuild our region’s economy. What we need now is for the messaging from our political leaders to provide real confidence that it’s ok for people to do this.
“While we welcome this progress, for far too many firms, the current rules and narrative continue to make trading unviable. With cash reserves exhausted for businesses in many sectors of the economy, Scotland’s respective governments must continue to be responsive, including seeking to accelerate the easing of restrictions in line with the health data and ensuring timings are aligned so sectors north of the border are not further disadvantaged.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired said he hoped that the demand and appetite for shopping local returns over the coming weeks.
He said: “It’s been a really encouraging start with a steady flow of people returning to the city centre today.
“The feedback we’ve had directly from the many businesses we’ve visited today has been one of relief to be back and positive optimism for the future.
“For many this is a long awaited opportunity to visit stores and meet up with friends for a coffee and is clear a sign of consumer confidence in the safe environment our retailers and hospitality businesses have put in place .
“We hope this positive start will continue and that the demand and appetite to return to support local city businesses will be sustained and indeed grow over the coming weeks.”
One noticeable absentee from the long list of retailers reopening on Monday was the John Lewis store in the Bon Accord centre.
The department store announced earlier in the year that it would close its Aberdeen outlet.
Road back to normal
Today marks the most significant easing of lockdown in Scotland since last summer, the first part of a route map leading us back to greater normality.
Advice Direct Scotland, the national advice service, has released guidance for people to keep in mind as they start leaving the house to go shopping again.
It includes checking the cancellation when booking a holiday, asking for an extension on gift vouchers that expired over lockdown, and considering the best plan for your lifestyle when signing up for a gym.
John Craft, policy executive with Advice Direct Scotland, said: “As the country slowly re-opens and people spend more of their money, there are a number of sensible tips to follow to ensure you’re not left out of pocket.
“This includes using a credit card if spending more than £100, checking refund and cancellation policies, and checking your consumer rights if something goes wrong.”
The next stage of easing is due to come on May 17, when the country will move to Level 2 and venues such as cinemas and theatres will be able to reopen.