Comic fans have complained of waiting for hours to get into the film and comic convention at Newcastle's Metro Radio Arena. Some said they had had to leave without ever getting in at all, even though they had bought tickets in advance.
"I would personally like to thank the local community for their amazing donations of food, toiletries and clothing. "
Owners John and Irene Hays say there is ''light at the end of the tunnel'', after the pandemic forced them to close 650 UK stores.
There has been resistance to calls to dismantle memorials to the explorer.