Calm but no storm in Lancaster for Black Friday

Lancaster and Morecambe’s high streets were relatively quiet despite shoppers across the country enduring mass crowds and queues to bag the best bargains on Black Friday.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Nov 2014, 15:14 BST
Shoppers grab bargain TV's on offer on Black Friday. Picture by Tony JohnsonShoppers grab bargain TV's on offer on Black Friday. Picture by Tony Johnson
Shoppers grab bargain TV's on offer on Black Friday. Picture by Tony Johnson

Queues began at 8am this morning across several retailers including Tesco and Asda supermarkets in order to maximise shopping times.

Staff at Asda, on Ovangle Road, Lancaster said the atmosphere has been calm and organised, a stark contrast to the shopping frenzy in other cities across the country.

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One member of staff at Ovangle Road said: “It has been all calm here, the TV’s were locked away in the changing rooms, customers had to go in and ask for them.

“We have been really organised and customers were queuing up in an orderly fashion outside.”

Originating from the US Black Friday is becoming a major UK shopping day.

Yet some residents in Lancaster and Morecambe believe the day is too much of a fuss.

On Facebook, Lisa Brayshaw said: “It’s over rated!”

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Chris Dickson said: “By the time people have stopped fighting over a TV it will end up more like black eye Friday!”

Melissa Brearton said: “I went into town today and to be honest I’ve seen it busier!”

Jean Hobbs said: “Asda was very well organised with separate queues, very impressed!”

As shoppers avoid the high streets online demand is proving to be too much for retailers.

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Currys, Argos and Tesco crashed online and customers were put in a queue with an estimated waiting time of up to 30 minutes.

Currys instructed shoppers with the message: “We’re really sorry that the huge demand for our deals means you’re having to wait.”

The most popular items have been televisions and game consoles as shoppers hunt for Christmas gifts.

Asda took more than 2 million transactions with 8,000 TVs being sold in the first 60 minutes of opening.

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An Asda spokesman said: “After months of planning and preparation we’ve welcomed over two million customers into our stores today who have snapped up our incredible Black Friday deals.

“There are still a number of Black Friday products on sale and we are anticipating many more customers in store throughout the rest of the day.”

Retailers will be re-stocking their shelves again tomorrow to continue the end of November sales.

Related topics:LancasterASDAMorecambeFacebookRetailersTesco