Ipswich’s Primark store opened early this morning after queues gathered in the town centre following the reopening of non-essential stores.

Ipswich Star: Queues formed early outside Ipswich's Primark. Other shops including JD Sports and Pandora also had short queues waiting for staff to open doors Picture: WILL JEFFORDQueues formed early outside Ipswich's Primark. Other shops including JD Sports and Pandora also had short queues waiting for staff to open doors Picture: WILL JEFFORD (Image: Archant)

Major high street retailers have seen dozens of customers lining up to be among the first through the door on the first day of trading for almost 12 weeks.

Primark was due to open at 9am today - however customers could be seen entering the store as early as 8.30am as queues had started to back up along the street.

Non-essential retail outlets were ordered to close by the government the week before the lockdown was announced by prime minister Boris Johnson on March 23.

MORE: What will look different in shops from Monday?

Ipswich Star: The 'Keep Left' signs are in place in Ipswich town centre ready for the shops to reopen on Monday June 15. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe 'Keep Left' signs are in place in Ipswich town centre ready for the shops to reopen on Monday June 15. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

But now customers can return to clothes shops, book shops and indoor markets, providing the buildings have been made ‘Covid-secure’ by following new government guidelines on social distancing and cleanliness.

Primark revealed pictures of its new measures last week to prepare customers for the changes, including new hand sanitiser stations and social distancing sighs. The stores changing rooms will remain closed.

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The budget fashion chain will reopen its stores in Ipswich and Colchester on June 15, along with all its shops in England.

Ipswich Star: The 'Keep Left' signs are in place in Ipswich town centre ready for the shops to reopen on Monday June 15. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe 'Keep Left' signs are in place in Ipswich town centre ready for the shops to reopen on Monday June 15. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Both stores will be open from 9am to 6pm from Monday onwards.

You can see even more about the first day of trading on the high street in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds on our live blog here.

Ipswich Star: The 'Keep Left' signs are in place in Ipswich town centre ready for the shops to reopen on Monday June 15. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe 'Keep Left' signs are in place in Ipswich town centre ready for the shops to reopen on Monday June 15. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The 'Keep Left' signs are in place in Ipswich town centre ready for the shops to reopen on Monday June 15. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNThe 'Keep Left' signs are in place in Ipswich town centre ready for the shops to reopen on Monday June 15. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Primark is preparting for more business hours on Sundays as lockdown is eased Picture: CHARLOTTE BONDPrimark is preparting for more business hours on Sundays as lockdown is eased Picture: CHARLOTTE BOND (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Ipswich Star: Primark customers will have hand sanitiser available to use Picture: PRIMARKPrimark customers will have hand sanitiser available to use Picture: PRIMARK (Image: Primark)

Ipswich Star: Signs in Primark stores will give instructions about safe shopping Picture: PRIMARKSigns in Primark stores will give instructions about safe shopping Picture: PRIMARK (Image: Primark)

Ipswich Star: A glimpse of how Prinark stores will look inside once they reopen. This photo was taken at Primark's Westfield store Picture: PRIMARKA glimpse of how Prinark stores will look inside once they reopen. This photo was taken at Primark's Westfield store Picture: PRIMARK (Image: Primark)