Queues form outside some banks and stores in Peterborough as shoppers prepare for start of second lockdown

Yesterday (November 2) large queues were spotted outside a number of the city’s banks.

A spokesperson from Barclays told the Peterborough Telegraph: “It was a very busy day yesterday, busier than normal. It was the first pay day of the month for many and we saw a number of people getting money out for Christmas.

“We were also very careful to manage social distancing by posting colleagues at the door and limiting the numbers of people allowed into the building at one time.

“We will be staying open during lockdown as we are key workers.”

The Peterborough Telegraph was also made aware of large queues outside of shops selling non-essential items, such as Primark, Argos, Dunelm, Game and B&Q, across the city, as many were perhaps looking for items to see them through or keep them busy during lockdown.

Empty shelves were reported, particularly in the Asda store in Rivergate, with depleted egg, pasta and toilet shelves spotted but Asda have moved quickly to reassure people that they have not seen a return to the panic-buying habits seen during the first lockdown in March.

A spokesperson said: “I’m pleased to say that it seems like, on the whole, everybody has learnt the lessons from last time.

“We’re certainly not seeing the same sorts of changes as we saw back in March. If there are gaps on shelves, I’m sure they’re being filled as quickly as possible by our colleagues as our stock levels are good.”On Saturday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new measures for the whole of England which are to come into force from Thursday.Pubs, bars, restaurants and non-essential retail will close until December 2 and people will be told to stay at home unless they have a specific reason to leave, but schools, colleges and nurseries will remain open.People will be allowed outside to exercise and socialise in public spaces outside with their household or one other person, but not indoors or in private gardens, and will be able to travel to work if they cannot work from home.

Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will all be closed, with non-essential retail including clothing and electronics stores, car showrooms, travel agents, betting shops, auction houses, tailors, car washes, tobacco and vape shops.

Leisure includes bowling alleys, leisure centres and gyms, sports facilities including swimming pools, golf courses and driving ranges, dance studios, stables and riding centres, soft play facilities, climbing walls and climbing centres, archery and shooting ranges, water and theme parks.