A shopping centre enjoyed a record-breaking day on the last Saturday before Christmas as shoppers searched for bargains.
Eagles Meadow in Wrexham was packed as families took advantage of big discounts as they hunted out special gifts.
Shopping centre manager Kevin Critchley is in little doubt it was the busiest day ever at Eagles Meadow where 100 temporary staff were recruited to cope with the Christmas rush.
He said: “It’s been phenomenal to be perfectly honest. The weather has been perfect and the piazza has been packed all day with shoppers moving from store to store.
“We have seen the brand new Burger King restaurant opening in the shopping centre too. The restaurant has been packed, as have the centre’s other food outlets and coffee shops.
“There has even been queues in some stores, particularly the jewellery shops as people search for that special gift. I think it has helped that many stores have some excellent pre-Christmas deals and sales on and of course, we have past the delivery date for internet ordered shopping.
“This year has been a little different as Christmas Day falls in mid-week so we have almost had an extra week of shopping in a way. I think that’s why the retail sector, generally, saw a sluggish start to December. But it has certainly ended in a bang!”
He added: “I think shoppers are also becoming more savvy and have realised that many stores discount goods before Christmas so they hang on in the hope of getting a bargain.
“That of course is OK providing the gift you want is still there when you go back, but often it isn’t. My advice is always buy it when you can for that very reason.
“I have really enjoyed seeing Eagles Meadow so busy with people smiling and enjoying their shopping experience without having to dodge traffic. The atmosphere has been absolutely brilliant throughout the day.”
Katie Roberts, the manager of the Animal store within Eagles Meadow says trading on Saturday was exceptionally busy to add to excellent December trading figures.
She said: “It has been non-stop right from opening and throughout the whole day. There really has been no let-up and it all adds up to an excellent December for the store. Staff have worked really hard while customers have been patient.”
Steven Bristow, deputy manager of Grainger Games, says Saturday was almost certainly the store’s busiest day ever.
He said: “It’s been incredible. Grand Theft Auto 5 has been the big seller and we have had queues on occasions. I certainly have never seen Eagles Meadow quite this hectic.”
Martin Smith, manager of F Hinds the jewellery store, said queues formed on occasions as staff tried hard to keep up with demand.
He said: “It really has been an incredible December and today, the shop has been filling up in waves. We just get the queue down and it starts to get busy again. It has been non-stop right from when we opened the doors.”
The Eagles Meadow food outlets were equally busy as shoppers stopped off for lunch or a coffee.
Peter Cross, the manager of Frankie & Benny’s, says the restaurant enjoyed its busiest lunch-time service ever with every table taken.
He said: “And as soon as a table came free there was someone there waiting to jump in. We were absolutely full for a few hours and that has carried on into the evening session too, there really hasn’t been any let-up.”
