Queues of shoppers are already filling up supermarket aisles and packing out car parks across Greater Manchester as people look to pick up last-minute shopping ahead of Christmas Day.
It seems that many have left their food and drink shopping until the last minute as turkeys, potatoes and Christmas puddings flew off of the shelves in supermarkets across the region earlier today. Others have been picking up their pre-ordered turkey and all the trimmings from their local butchers, with queues snaking down pavements as shoppers hope to get slightly ahead of the anticipated Christmas Eve rush.
There were long queues over at Tesco in Prestwich, which Smyth Harper from Blackley described as "Beyond Thunderdome" on his visit on Friday. He said: "It was carnage in Tesco today - I felt like Tina Turner in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. But it was all very good natured and the staff were phenomenal. One of them found some rosemary out the back for me so Christmas is saved.”
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Cars could also be seen queuing on the M60 at Portwood interchange as shoppers flocked to Tesco Extra to pick up supplies, with the enormous car park appearing to be entirely full. Inside shoppers were picking up wrapping paper, packs of soft drinks and booze ahead of the Christmas break. While there were queues at the tills, staff could be seen managing them as best they could.
It was a similar scene over at Riverside Retail Park in Warrington yesterday. Videos shared on social media showed long queues of cars trying to get out of the car park, with some drivers blocked off from even manoeuvring from their parking space.
Meanwhile, in Timperley today, the legendary queue at Treadgold's Butchers was as long as expected, as customers patiently waited outside in the December drizzle to pick up their turkeys and Christmas lunch accompaniments.
While at Taylor's of Sale, there were reports on Facebook that the 7th Sale Scout Group would be outside providing hot drinks and sausages while people waited. Ahead of the pick-up slots, one Facebook user said: "My husband has his thermals on and camping chair ready".
And in Cheadle Hulme, queues could be seen forming outside of Pimlotts Butchers, while across the road at Waitrose, people were being made to queue outside as the store managed numbers coming in and out.
Others will be looking to pick out presents for family and friends, but may not have had the time until today, having worked in the build up to Christmas Day. Anticipating the usual mob for cheese and Christmas hampers, the Cheese Hamlet in Didsbury village shared a post on social media yesterday warning of long queues today.
The post read: "A long queue is expected tomorrow, so please bring an umbrella and maybe grab a coffee beforehand. We are working as fast as possible to reduce queueing time, but with limited space in the shop, it is a challenge. Don’t forget, if you have placed a click and collect order, you can use the designated collection point at the back of the shop."
In neighbouring Chorlton, an Instagram story shared by Chorlton Cheesemongers earlier this morning showed boxes piled almost as high as the windows, ahead of the Christmas rush to pick up pre-order cheese hampers.
More queues are expected across the region tomorrow, as shoppers stock up on fresh food supplies before the festive holidays, while shopping centres including the Trafford Centre are preparing for queues on Boxing Day as the sales start. The best advice for anyone looking to pick up last-minute shopping or some bargains? Set your alarms.
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