Primark to open for 36 hours straight after level-four lockdown

Primark in Braehead Shopping Centre is set to stay open for 36 hours after level-four restrictions end on Friday.

The high-street giant, and other shops across 11 council areas, was ordered to close stores for three weeks.

Primark bosses have now announced a plan to re-open all stores in Scotland on Friday, December 11, with extended opening hours for Christmas shoppers.

The company said by extending hours, which includes some stores opening until 10pm and overnight shopping in Braehead, Renfrewshire, will help spread the shopping time and reduce queues at stores.

The Braehead branch will open at 9am on Friday and stay open until 9pm on Saturday night.

All other Primark stores across Scotland will trade until at least 8pm on weekdays until December 23.

Other stores in Braehead Shopping Centre will be up at the crack of dawn to welcome shoppers when several stores open on Friday.

Stores opening at 6am include Marks and Spencer, New Look, JD Sports and Footasylum.

Primark CEO Paul Marchant said: “We are delighted to re-open all of our stores in Scotland on December 11, with longer shopping hours to give our customers more time to safely do their festive shopping.

“We have everything this season that our customers expect from Primark, including our famous Christmas jumpers, festive pyjamas and much, much more.

“All of our extensive safety measures remain in place to help ensure shopping at Primark is an enjoyable, safe experience for everyone.”

Braehead centre director, Peter Beagley said: “I’m sure that after three weeks of non-essential stores being closed in the run-up to the festive season, people will be keen to get their Christmas shopping done.

“We are accommodating that need by opening earlier than usual, so we can spread the load and give people more time to do that.

“The most important job for us at Braehead is to make sure we have a safe environment both for shoppers and our staff. And we will do this by continuing a rigorous regime of measures to stop the spread of the virus and to make sure Braehead is a safe place to visit and work.

“These measures include limiting the amount of shoppers in the centre at a time; automatic hand sanitisers throughout the centre; social distancing; a one-way system for getting around the centre and enhanced cleaning regimes along with visitors and staff wearing face coverings that protect everyone in the current coronavirus pandemic.

“We look forward to welcoming shoppers to Braehead and if we all play our part, we can still enjoy buying Christmas gifts and also have a safe and healthy festive season.”

Here’s a list of Primark trading hours over the festive period: