Sun shines on Shropshire shoppers as Black Friday busy
Shropshire shoppers were out in force today for Black Friday, but it could have been the good weather that gave the retailers a helping hand rather than the low prices.
Black Friday has been a hit in America and has also seen crowds rushing to shops in the UK in recent years.
The deals have been offered for days in the run-up to the event, as consumers were expected to spend almost £8 billion over just a few days.
Kevin Lockwood, Darwin and Pride Hill Shopping Centres manager, said that there was increased footfall in the town's shopping centres, but that the weather helped too.
He said: "It did appear to be quite busy.
"We had a walk-through of the centres and there did seem to be quite a lot of footfall.
"It was better than a normal Friday.
"I think Black Friday has started off people's Christmas shopping, there's quite a lot of shopping bags knocking about.
"The weather is helping as well. I think if it had been raining it would be a different story.
"This time last year it was raining quite heavily and people didn't come out, but now it is sunny and it has brought people out shopping which is good news."
Shoppers in Telford were getting into the festive spirit while bagging discounted deals.
Katie Broome, marketing manager at The Telford Centre, said: “Black Friday was a great day at Telford Centre, it really feels as though people are getting into the spirit of the festive season already.
"While many feel that Black Friday is mainly an online phenomenon we have had a very busy day, with shoppers making the most of the special deals on offer from our brands throughout the centre.”
