Chaos in Andover as Le Creuset sale sparks four-hour queues with police called

Queues of bargain-hunters spanned for several miles at a retail estate in a UK town on Saturday hoping to get their hands on the Le Creuset kitchenware sale items.

Police officers were called to the scene in Andover, Hampshire, where a long, winding line of keen shoppers queued outside a retail estate. The premium brand had put their array of pots and pans up for lower prices which sparked people from across the country to get in line.

Officers were seen patrolling the queue in Hampshire to manage the flow of people as well as the increased traffic congestion on the roads.

The cheaper prices were part of a 24-hour flash deal which was in place from 9am Saturday to 8am the following day.

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."

Some of the shoppers hoping to get their hands on the pricey kitchenware waited four hours in the line. People in their cars were also seen getting out of their vehicle to stand alongside the pavement.

Le Creuset's event was its 'largest in-person event' which they advertised in advance to allow shoppers the opportunity to plan their trip. The company said it was unticketed and items were only available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Visitors were able to get their hands on a 'selection of premium cookware, including limited-edition colours, rare shapes and other unique styles at special prices', according to the high-end kitchenware company.

This is the company's second warehouse sale in Andover this year with their first taking place in March.

Le Creuset is a French company popular for their famous range of colours and shapes, alongside the products durability and lifetime guarantee.

Turning 100 years old next year, Le Creuset is on the higher end of the scale for pricing with a singular casserole dish costing up to £600. However, the Andover sale saw some products have the price slashed by 50% with discounts on glasses, mugs, dishes and bowls.

However, certain items in the company have seen a 20% dip in sales since the pandemic due to cost of living. Le Creuset's managing director, Nick Ryder, said in its annual reports last year: "In the post-Covid world, with changing spending patterns and a backdrop of increasing prices and interest rates, the market we operate in has seen a decrease in spend."