Member Article

Eldon Square witnesses record number of visitors

In the week before Christmas, more than a million shoppers visited Eldon Square – the Shopping Centres highest ever figure.

News that overall numbers for Christmas and the subsequent sales period is higher than the same period in 2010 will be good news for retailers, many of whom have suffered losses over the last 12 months.

General manager Phil Steele commented: “I’m pleased to say that Christmas trading was exceptionally busy, with an increase in visitor numbers in comparison to last year.

The offer this Christmas has been increasingly discount-led, as a result of the current economic climate.

“This has certainly helped our customers to continue to buy gifts and essentials during the festive period, and during the subsequent sales.”

The increase in visitors has been attributed to the introduction of gift cards and extended opening hours during the festive period, as well as free parking after 5pm. Restaurants offered evening meal deals, and alongside retail offers played a part in increasing footfall.

Trevor Pereira, Commercial Director at CSC (Capital Shopping Centres) owners of Eldon Square, added: “We expected shoppers to be out in force during the week before Christmas and they certainly were.

“Our fourteen shopping centres were bustling with some eight million visitors this week, with Gift Card sales reaching the £2 million mark.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .