Shoppers from Stroud spent 146 per cent more than normal after shops reopened last week, with Primark proving the most popular store.

The first day of trading saw even higher levels of spending, with 229 per cent more splurged by people from Stroud than the average Monday in February of last year.

On April 12, outdoor cafes and pubs reopened along with non-essential retail, hairdressers and nail salons, gyms, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas.

This includes two Primark stores in Gloucester and Cheltenham and one in Swindon.

The figures come from analysis undertaken by banking firm Revolut, who looked at the data of 4,000 of its customers in Stroud between April 12 and 18 and compared it to the average weekly spend in February 2020, before lockdown started.

Revolut said the data shows there is strong demand right across the country, with many people eager to spend savings built up since non-essential shops closed on January 5.

Spokesman Nicholas Taylor said: "Importantly, spending was up across the whole week – rather than just the first day – suggesting that consumer confidence is resilient.

"This is great news for the thousands of local pubs, cafes and shops, and the millions of people they employ."

Retail spending increased 92% across England as a whole, the firms figures show.

The British Retail Consortium said stores have worked hard to provide customers with a "safe and enjoyable" shopping experience, and it expects footfall to increase as more outlets reopen.

Chief executive Helen Dickinson added: “With case numbers continuing to drop, retailers hope that confidence will return to high streets, shopping centres and retail parks, and encourage UK consumers to release some of the £160 billion saved up during this pandemic.

"By unlocking consumer savings, UK retail has a key role to play in the wider economic recovery.”

There were 2,396 new cases of Covid-19 reported on Wednesday in the UK, 14 of which were in Gloucestershire.