Christmas shoppers flood to Portsmouth city centre ahead of lockdown

Early festive shoppers flooded onto Commercial Road with many fearing it ‘may be the final chance’ to get any last minute gifts after the prime minister set out his plans to introduce a second national lockdown starting on November 5.

Some shoppers had taken time off work to make the most of the retail days available with many believing the initial December 2 lockdown finish will be extended up to Christmas.

Tracey Smith had travelled from Brighton for a double dose of retail therapy.

She said: ‘Yesterday I was at Gunwharf Quays and today I’ve come to the city centre to do my Christmas shopping as I don’t think everything will reopen at the start of December and so I wanted to make sure I have everything I need.

‘I agree with the lockdown but I think it should have included everything including universities and schools.’

Also taking the opportunity to purchase wrapping paper and gifts for loved ones was retired minister at St Mark’s Church in North End, Penelope Payne.

At 78, Penelope is classed as ‘vulnerable’ to the virus but she was determined to hit the high streets and do her shopping before lockdown.

She said: ‘I would normally start my Christmas shopping at the start of December but I decided to make a start today as I think it’s going to be very difficult to get back to normal before Christmas. I’m not surprised about how busy it is as this was inevitable once the second lockdown was announced.’

While most shoppers were in agreement that a second lockdown was necessary, many questioned whether it went far enough reduce the R number to below one – the point at which the infection starts to decrease.

Jen Kidd, 35, said: ‘I’m a hairdresser and we are obviously frustrated to close but I understand the reasons behind it. Primary school children find it difficult to learn from home but I think the government needs to close colleges, secondary schools and universities.’

Friend, Nicola Scott, 34, added: ‘I don’t think the government had any choice in the end but with where we are now you have to question schemes like Eat Out to Help Out.’

As someone who works in retail, Rachel Etherington, 33, has mixed views as to whether the lockdown is justified.

She said: ‘I work in Ralph Lauren at Gunwharf Quays and we are having to close. I’ve completely mixed views and it’s very difficult to know what to do for the best. I don’t think it will finish on December 2 and so I’ve taken this opportunity to do my Christmas shopping.

‘I’ve also been doing some lockdown shopping to get things for my children to do as I think schools may end up closing.’

One city resident who disagreed with a second lockdown was Michelle Bates, 52, who was in Commercial Road to get her hair cut before her regular hairdresser has to close.

Michelle said: ‘I disagree with the lockdown. I don’t think its about the virus but about control. It really concerns me that a lot of businesses will have to close.’

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Whether the second lockdown lasts beyond the start of December, the big question for shoppers is whether measures will reduce the virus sufficiently to enable a near normal festive season.

Retired care home worker, Gaynor Bibby, 70, said: ‘I came to get presents for my grandchildren. Hopefully the lockdown will enable us to be together on Christmas day.’

University of Portsmouth students, Charlotte Buckingham and Becca Connolly, hope infection rates drop sufficiently to allow them home for Christmas.

Charlotte, 20, said: ‘I came out today to get all my Christmas shopping done. Hopefully lockdown gets the numbers down as I would be devastated not be able to go home and see my family at Christmas.’

What the retailers think

What better place to gauge the economic impact of a festive season lockdown than at Commercial Road’s very own Christmas Store.

Store assistant, Lisa Cole, said: ‘While we have been really busy since lockdown was announced it will in no way compensate for what we will lose during lockdown. The three month period up to and over Christmas is our most important time. We have decided to take a lot of our products online but it does concern me that the lockdown will go beyond December 2.

‘Hopefully shops will reopen at the start of December and we get that vital retail period over the last few weeks leading up to Christmas.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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