Last updated at 13:24, Thursday, 22 September 2011

I used to think that the worst queues in Marks & Spencer were during lunchtime as office workers grabbed a ready meal or a posh butty.

But I realised I was wrong when I nipped in the other evening after work. It seems one of the busiest times is at the end of the day – when staff go round marking down fresh food and baked goods.

People prowl around, baskets in hand, trying to spot the yellow sticker that marks a reduced food item.

And a huge group of shoppers were swarming round the bread and bakery section, well-behaved and courteous, allowing each other to reach over and grab the marked-down goodies.

Food shopping at Marks & Spencer has always been a bit too pricey for me – only done for special treats on special occasions. It’s a sign of recession-hit Britain that mark-down time is so popular, even among the well-to-do in M&S.

But more importantly, does anyone else suffer from 'brain freeze' when they go into the Carlisle store?

I know the chiller cabinets have to be kept at a certain temperature for the perishable foods, but the whole section feels like minus 20! It’s like shoving your head in a bath full of ice. I know I don’t have much (or even any) protection up top, but I’m sure I’m not the only one to suffer.

First published at 11:28, Thursday, 22 September 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk