Clothing giants Primark has confirmed a “small number” of employees have tested positive for coronavirus in its Norwich shop.

Norwich Evening News: The Primark store, in Norwich, where a small number of employees have tested positive for coronavirus Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe Primark store, in Norwich, where a small number of employees have tested positive for coronavirus Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The retailer responded to concerns on Saturday, about staff at the Haymarket store contracting the virus.

In a statement, a Primark spokesman said: “We can confirm that a small number of employees in our Norwich store have tested positive for Covid-19.

“Nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of our customers and employees, and we have detailed contingency plans in place in case one of our employees tests positive.

More: Q&A: Norfolk on the government’s coronavirus watchlist - will that mean local lockdowns?

“In line with these plans, we have informed the public health authorities and we have followed all required measures to protect the safety of all our colleagues and customers.”

More: Norfolk placed on national coronavirus ‘watchlist’ after Banham Poultry outbreak

It comes 24 hours after Norfolk was placed on the national coronavirus watchlist as an “area of enhanced support” in the wake of a coronavirus outbreak at Banham Poultry.

Being on the watchlist does not mean any further restriction at this stage, but allows the county to draw on extra help from the government to help deal with an outbreak, including priority access to testing and test and trace.

On Friday, leaders at Norfolk County Council and the director of public health stressed it did not mean local lockdowns were inevitable.

A queue of more than 30 people were outside the store as it opened on Sunday morning, with further shoppers heading in.

Alina Diaconescu said: “It felt safe, they are doing everything right. It seemed quite quiet.”

Another shopper, Donna Lewis had arrived in town for back to school shopping, and said it would not deter her to go in a store if it had confirmed staff had tested positive for coronavirus.

Donna Lewis said: “This is the first time I have been shopping. It was just before lockdown. No [it wouldn’t stop me], you have to get things. It is cheap.

“We have been so busy with work, we haven’t been able to get into down.”