Drivers were greeted with electronic boards saying centre full as they arrived at the Manchester retail hub
Britons were also spotted flocking to stores in Liverpool, Birmingham and North Tyneside on Boxing Day
The busy scenes came in stark contrast to London, where Regent and Oxford Street stood largely empty
Sales at shops are predicted to plunge by 56 per cent to £1.4billion, despite an estimated rise in online sales
It comes as millions moved into Tier 4 yesterday, meaning all non-essential shops and businesses had to close
Britons spotted lining up outside Next stores in Liverpool, Birmingham and North Tyneside on Boxing Day
The busy scenes came in stark contrast to London, where Regent and Oxford Street stood largely empty
Sales at shops are predicted to plunge by 56 per cent to £1.4billion, despite an estimated rise in online sales
It comes as millions moved into Tier 4 yesterday, meaning all non-essential shops and businesses had to close
It s the most wonderful time for a beer! Britons enjoy takeaway pints across UK as shops are crammed amid fears of food shortages caused by ports chaos, but footfall is down 40% on Christmas Eve last year
Footfall across all bricks and mortar retail sites in the UK was 40% lower today than on Christmas Eve last year
Over Tier 4 areas overall numbers were down by 27% from last week, although Borough Market was thronging
Large queues at supermarkets today as shoppers rushed to stock up amid the continuing chaos at Dover
Shellfish suppliers also warned their products could be in short supply.
They said the perishable products were stranded as the French border closed.
Britain faces shortages of fresh vegetables, salad, raspberries and strawberries in the New Year if the vast queues of lorries at Dover cannot be resolved today, experts have warned.
ADVERTISEMENT Timing is crucial with the backlog of trucks stuck at the port, say industry insiders, as panicked shoppers queued outside supermarkets from 5.30am this morning.
The warnings come from the British Retail Consortium, the trade association for UK retailers, who have reassured the British public that there is enough food available for Christmas.