Lunchtime queues for newly opened John Lewis

When John Lewis opened its doors this morning at 9am there was already a queue of around 150 waiting to be the first customers in the doors. Now a few hours have transpired but there seems no sign of a let up, as shoppers line up down Sidwell Street.

City centre workers on their lunch breaks stared in amazement at the queue, but many went to join it after seeing that it was swift-moving.

It seems many shoppers had taken notice of Exeter City Council's advice to travel in by public transport, as traffic was relatively free-flowing in the city centre, and although the car parks were almost full and some roads were a little congested approaching the Paris Street roundabout, there was none of the feared gridlock.