The biggest shopping day of the year in Nottinghamshire saw some people queuing from 6am for Black Friday bargains.
But the day started off slower than expected, with just a small group of people queuing outside shops in the Victoria Centre.
However, by mid-morning outlets were packed and businesses in the centre are preparing for a busy day and weekend.
Tom Cooper, store manager of Three, said: “I got here extra early this morning so I could get the store ready for a busy day ahead and make sure all our promotions are on display, so we can entice people in with our bargains.
“We will be running our deals over the weekend as well because people who can’t shop today, they can visit us over the weekend to grab themselves a nice new phone.”
Picture: Committed shoppers arrived early and waited for shops to open in the Victoria Centre
But not all businesses are happy about the day, as some feel they are forced to compete with the big retail price drops.
Sally Longden, owner of Stick and Ribbon, Bridlesmith Walk, feels Black Friday is not helping small businesses.
She said, “To be honest it’s a real nightmare because we do feel the pressure that we have to follow the big boys in retail.
“As a concept I think it is the worst thing to come out of America, if I had a top ten list of good things to come out of America this wouldn’t be in there, maybe put Brad Pitt and George Clooney in there instead.”
Video: Sally Longden, Stick and Ribbon, talking about Black Friday
It is estimated a huge £810 billion will spent today across the UK and the shopping will carry on through to next week with ‘Cyber Monday’ for online customers.
We asked the people of Nottingham what they had managed to buy during today’s big shopping event.
Video: Many shoppers managed to grab themselves a good deal.
In pictures: How shoppers queued across Nottingham
