Pictures as shoppers queued for Boxing Day Sales in the North East

Having enjoyed the big day on December 25, some shoppers are keen to head out to the sales first thing on Boxing Day morning with the hope of picking up some deals.

Shoppers weren’t put off last year as fewer shops opened up while the country was still recovering from the Covid pandemic.

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Usually a staple of a December 26 shopping trip, Next announced a huge shake up last year by not opening until a day later.

And the fashion retailer has once again chosen to give its staff a day off on Boxing Day, focussing instead on its online sales.

We’ve taken a look back through our archives at the Boxing Day Sales in years gone by, as shoppers across the North East spent hours in queues at retail parks and on high streets in order to get a discount.

2001 - Shoppers queue outside Dixons in Darlington. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

2008 - A sea of shoppers descended on the Metrocentre to check out the deals. (Image: NNP)

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2014 - The streets of Durham were busy with shoppers (Image: DAVID WOOD)

2015 - Big queues at the Silverlink Retail Park in North Tyneside for the Next Boxing Day Sales. Shoppers arrived from 6am and queued up the whole retail park. (Image: NNP)

2015 - Bracing the cold... shoppers wrapped up warm as they queued around the block for Next opening. (Image: NNP)

2016 - Shopper Stephanie Potts was happy with her Boxing Day haul. (Image: NNP)

2017 - Next at Silverlink had moved to a new location but the queues were no smaller. (Image: NNP)

2018 - Shoppers came prepared with mugs of coffee, camping chairs and blankets as they waited for the shops to open. (Image: NNP)

2019 - A packed Northumberland Street in Newcastle as shoppers walked past Fenwick window. (Image: NNP)

2021 - A quieter Northumberland Street in Newcastle City Centre than in previous years as some shops stayed closed for longer following the pandemic. (Image: NNP)

2021 - This pair braved the wet weather to find a deal. (Image: NNP)

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