Last-minute bargain hunters pour into Shropshire stores

Shoppers flocked to shops yesterday and last minute presents and food were also being picked up today.

Now businesses are already preparing for the Boxing Day sales, with stores opening as early as 5am.

Men have been outstripping women in the bid to snap up Christmas bargains in Shrewsbury's many shops.

With just hours to go until the big day, shoppers were turning out in force in the town centre.

Kevin Lockwood, manager of the town's shopping centres said: "Pride Hill is very busy with people carrying lots of bags and there seems to be a greater proportion of men to women.

"Retailers have been telling me that people have been more organised and know what they want to buy instead of just browsing.

"Some of the shops within the centres have started their sales already with some offering as much as 60 per cent off so people have been able to snap up some bargain Christmas presents.

"There is a really positive vibe in the town and I am sure this is down to the fact that we have had a full week of trading rather than Christmas falling mid-week."

The boss of Telford's indoor shopping centre has said this year has been its best yet.

More shoppers have streamed through the doors of Telford Shopping Centre than ever before.

And the Telford European Christmas Market in Southwater has further boosted trade to the shops and restaurants in the centre of the borough.

Glynn Morrow, manager, said: "Christmas is always the peak of the retail calendar for Telford Shopping Centre and this year is no different.

"The shopping centre's retailers have reported excellent sales and our footfall has increased significantly year on year, throughout the month of December.

"This has been strengthened by the addition of the European market at Southwater and the Christmas activities presented at the centre, which have proved to be a real hit with visitors.

"We look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2017 and the addition of Southern Quarter to strengthen the leisure offer for our visitors."

Next stores in Shrewsbury and Telford were both due to open at 5am on Boxing Day, with the tills opening at 6am.

Business has also been booming in Ellesmere, according to the boss of the town's chamber of trade and commerce.

Ann Hartley said the town has benefitted from having a small amount of empty shops.

"I have had really good feedback. The town is buzzing and we seem to be bucking the trend," she said. "We have got a lot of loyal people."

In Oswestry traders have reported a busy rush ahead of the big day, with many shoppers pledging to support businesses in the town, including the mayor himself, Councillor Paul Milner vowed to snub online shopping and buy all his gifts locally this Christmas.

Tony Lowry, owner of gift and card shop Pickles & Co, said he'd been impressed by the number of people who had done the same.

Ludlow has continued it's special "Tinsel Tuesdays" markets through December, while Church Stretton introduced a brand new Black Friday evening with town centre traders.

But Bridgnorth in particular ended the year on a high after being crowned the best large market town in Britain at the Great British High Street Awards, and winning £5,000 to boost the town's local economy.

It also started a late night shopping initiative for the first time this year, bringing in bands and entertainment to attracted tourists and visitors to the high street each week, which ranged from singers to farm animals.But Stephen Robbins, chairman of Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce, said: "Brexit may still be a long way from happening, but while politicians dither, speculation as to the consequences has definitely had an effect which is being felt on the High Street.

"Inflation is creeping up and will continue do so as the exchange rate makes imports more expensive.

"Local traders have noticed a difference with figures down on this time last year. The Chamber of Commerce has worked hard to encourage more people to shop in the town, with the park and ride running in December, as well as the Shop Local campaign.

"The late night shopping evenings are a new initiative this year, and early feedback is that they have definitely made a difference, with one shop trebling it's turnover for the day by staying open late."

In Craven Arms, Harry Delves, commercial director at independent supermarket Harry Tuffins, said footfall had been constant and good.

He said the spread of Black Friday sales from the US in recent years also helped kick-start the season.

"It's been pretty steady since the end of November and Black Friday – last year we did three days of Black Friday deals, this year we did a week," he said.

"It's good to have a full week in the lead up to Christmas, because it's on a Sunday this year.

"Having schools break up a few weeks before, and some of the factories, it helps because people have a bit more time to think about their shopping.

"I think it's been really busy everywhere this week."

In Ludlow Tish Dockerty, secretary of Ludlow Chamber of Commerce said the Tinsel Tuesdays helped squeeze as much trading time as possible out of the festive run-up. She said: "We're offering a clear alternative to the rather clinical process of clicking 'add to bag' and then hoping things will arrive in time for Christmas."