Police were called to a retail park in Hampshire over the weekend after a flash sale on Le Creuset kitchenware prompted queues so long it shut down the entire area.
Officers were called to the scene in Andover, Hampshire, where a long, winding line of keen shoppers stretched out for miles in anticipation of a flash sale of the premium brand.
People travelled from all around the country to attend the sale, which started at 9am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday and offered discounts of up to half price on casserole dishes, baking trays, crockery and more.
Such was the popularity of the event that London-based customers reported getting up before dawn to be some of the first through the door, with other bargain hunters queuing up to four hours for a chance shot at the premium kitchenware.
@homeatnumber11_Le Creuset Warehouse Sale in Andover! #lecreuset #warehouse #warehousesale #sale #queue #neveragain #homesale #home #kitchen #kitchenware #clearance #fyp @Le Creuset
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A TikTok video showed the sprawling queue stretching for miles (Picture: TikTok / @homeatnumber11_)
Punters queued for up to four hours (Picture: TikTok / @homeatnumber11_)Le Creuset turns 100 years old next year, and its products have a reputation for their high quality and lifetime guarantee.
The brand’s iconic ‘Volcanic Orange’ colour is a staple of many kitchens, but their casserole dishes can cost anything from £200 up to £600.
Police have confirmed that officers have been deployed to help with traffic control due to the high volume of people travelling to the site.
This is the second Le Creuset warehouse sale in Andover this year, with the first one in March attracting similar crowds.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Hampshire Police said: ‘We attended London Road and the A3093 in Andover Saturday morning following reports of heavy congestion in the area.
‘We began receiving reports at 9.45am and we attended to assist with traffic control. Traffic had eased by around 11.15am and we left the area shortly afterwards.’
Le Creuset called the warehouse sale its ‘largest in-person event’ which was unticketed and available on a first-come-first-serve basis.
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