BOURNEMOUTH residents have been on a spending spree since lockdown restrictions were lifted earlier this month. 

Shoppers in Bournemouth have gone absolutely wild since non-essential shops were allowed to reopen as part of the government's second stage of lockdown easing, on 12 April.

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The bank Revolut analysed data of 7,000 of its Bournemouth customers between April 12 and 18 then compared it to the average weekly spend in February 2020.

Customers in Bournemouth spent 69 per-cent more than average on 12 April when shops and pub gardens reopened.

In total, retail spending was up by 187 per-cent in the first week of April compared to the average in February 2020.

As a nation of bargain hunters it is no surprise that Bournemouth's most popular shop in the first week on non-essentials reopening was discount store TK Maxx.

From homeware to clothes, toiletries and jewelry - TK Maxx really does have it all.

The discount retailer was not only the most popular in Bournemouth during the opening day but remained the most popular throughout the opening week.

This could also be helped by the fact that there are four TK Maxx stores in Bournemouth.

People weren't just spending money in non-essential shops - as pubs and bars were allowed to reopen, punters flocked to get a cold pint.

Bournemouth Echo:

People couldn't wait to get to the pubs and bars (PA).

Customers rushed to the beer gardens in Bournemouth on reopening day and spent a tear-jerking 425 per-cent more than average compared to a normal Monday pre-pandemic.

In the opening week people in Bournemouth were spending on average £17.97 per transaction in the pub, this is nearly £2 more than the national average.

What can we say, with so many fabulous shops, pubs and bars to enjoy - we couldn't wait to get back out!