This is why Meadowhall shopping centre, Sheffield, was evacuated this morning

But shoppers were later told that the reason shoppers and staff had to leave was bosses were carrying out a planned safety exercise.

The centre issued a mobile phone alert to Meadowhall workers stating: “We are evacuating the centre due to an alarm activation. Please leave the centre as quickly as possible and proceed to your designated assembly point by using the nearest fire exit.”

They later sent another to let people now it had been a planned exercise.

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