Shoppers have surged back onto high streets across England and Wales as fashion stores, toy shops, hairdressers and other nonessential retailers reopened their doors for the first time in more than three months. The number of people in shopping destinations by 3pm on Monday was more than doublethe level of the previous Monday and only just over a quarter lower than 2019 levels, according to analysts at Springboard. Spending in England was up 500% in hairdressing salons and nearly tripled in shops in the morning, compared with a typical Monday before the pandemic, according to the financial app Revolut. Pubs got off to a slower start, but takings were still up 150% on normal, pre-pandemic levels just before lunch, with the biggest surges in Romford and Chester. With snow flurries in some places and cold weather across the country, Springboard said shopping centres reported the biggest rise in footfall, followed by high streets. There was less of an increase at retail parks because many have supermarkets and DIY, stores, which have been able to trade throughout lockdown. Shoppers started queueing before 7am outside some Primark stores, which were among the first to open in England and Wales, as well as at sports shops and the Zara and TK Maxx chains. Paul Marchant, chief executive of Primark, said: “As expected, stores have been very busy, but we’re more than ready and very confident in the safety measures we have in place. The mood has been incredibly upbeat and positive.” The crowds spurred hopes of a spending spree fuelled by £180bn of lockdown savings put aside by British consumers after months without nights out, holidays or – for many – a commute to work.