What shopping is like in Blackpool as the resort's stores reopen under self-distancing measures

The resort's high streets were a far cry from being deserted as the coronavirus lockdown was finally lifted for all shops in England after an unprecedented three-month closure.

Long queues formed outside stores like Primark and Sports Direct in the town centre as pent-up shoppers went in search of their first taste of retail therapy since March 23.

And, while not all businesses threw open their doors today - Next in the Houndshill Shopping Centre won't be open for another three weeks - there were still plenty of stores back up and running for those customers desperate to get spending again.

Sports Direct on Bank Hey Street was pulling in the most punters after the sports chain announced last week that it's offering 50 per cent off for all NHS workers on Monday only.

Sisters and NHS staff Shirley McKay, Wendy Hughes and Elaine Brearley were just a few of the hundreds of people in the queue which stretched all the way back to Clifton Street at one point.

The sisters were taking advantage of the half price offer and Shirley said: "It's too good of an offer to pass off and will be worth the wait in the queue."

The other store with a long queue, which was to be expected, was the Primark store in the Houndshill.

While the queue was long at one point, stretching round the corner onto Victoria Street, some shoppers seemed to enjoy the new self-distancing retail therapy experience.

Jay-Cee Knight and mum Christina Wright, from Claremont, said they enjoyed their trip to the value-friendly clothes retailer and said the measures should be adopted full-time as 'it is far more pleasant'.

Christina said: "My daughter goes back to school tomorrow for the first time and her school uniform does not fit anymore so I came down to Primark as it's the best place to get it.

"We arrived at about 8.40am and we were not waiting too long at all to get it. In all honesty, I think Primark should keep it like that because it's a lot more chilled than it normally is. It's not as busy and it's actually quicker than it would usually take in there."

Lots of the stores in the Houndshill were staggering their opening time so self-distancing measures could be maintained.

Debenhams opened at 10am and store manager Shelley Oliver explained how the department store, one of the resort's largest, has adapted to the necessary changes.

She said: "We have introduced a number of measure to adhere to Government guidelines including two metre self-distancing signs and entry and exit to the store is one-way.

"We have also extended the spaces at the tills and any item that is returned to us goes into quarantine for 72 hours before it can be put back on the shelves."

All of the concessions in the department store are for guidance only and people are unable to test make-up and perfume but staff will be happy to help with guidance.

Sharnah Wilding, who works for Urban Decay inside Debenhams, was happy to return to work.

She said: "The atmosphere is so nice and it's great to see everybody again. We are taking it all really seriously and it's good to feel safe at work and Shelley has reassured us all which is the best feeling to come back to."

Two shoppers in the store said they came to Debenhams especially so they could support a British company.

Margaret Holdworth and her friend Kathleen said they came out to support the shops and headed to Debenhams first.

Margaret said: "We came her first as it's important to support a British company above others and I do prefer a department store as well."

TK Maxx on Bank Hey Street was another store with a line of shoppers waiting outside.

Daisie-Mae Threlfall, 17, and Keira Threlfall, 15, had come out the store with a large amount of bags and said there was bargains to be had.

Keira said: "We have got quite a few toys for presents as they were really cheap and there was some really cheap items like Nike socks for 20p."