Retailers at a shopping centre in Wrexham are enjoying a bumper sales season.
Eagles Meadow has been packed as families took advantage of big discounts as they hunted for bargains.
After a busy run up to Christmas, the crowds also came on Boxing Day for the first day of the sales which saw 1,000 people queuing outside Next waiting for the doors to open at 6am.
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley said: “Business was very brisk during the run up to Christmas, so much so that collectively the retailers at Eagles Meadow recruited an army of 100 temporary staff to cope with the festive rush.
“Things have continued in the same vein after the big day and it’s hoped that some of the seasonal workers could be kept on permanently.
“There’s been no let up since the sales kicked off at 6am on Boxing Day. There’s a real buzz around the centre and we’re getting positive feedback from retailers about the way things are going. There are lots of great bargains to be had and our shoppers are going home happy.
“It’s been phenomenal to be perfectly honest. 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.
“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.”
Fashion jewellery specialists Mococo are enjoying record sales.
Manager Suzanne Bartley said: ” We are really, really busy and we’ve had a fantastic Christmas – our sales are up 106 per cent on last year.
“The sale is still on and it’s still unbelievably busy. I have had to bring in extra staff today to cope.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Laura Clark the Deputy Manager of the Frankie and Benny’s restaurant.
She said: “It’s been crazy busy and we had a a fantastic couple of weeks – we had record sales the week before Christmas.
“As a family restaurant, we love this time of year because the children are on holiday. We’ve been doing a phenomenal amount of breakfasts and we’re fully by 12 noon.
“We are ending the year on a high and we are hoping to do really well in January too.”
There was a similar message from Andy Elvis the Manager of the Odeon Cinema which will be celebrating its fifth birthday in February.
He said: “We have had a fantastic Christmas and we are still very busy. We’re thrilled to bits.
“The magic of Disney has struck again because the children’s film, Frozen, and The Hobbit have both been phenomenally popular. They’re both on for another two or three weeks so there’s plenty of time to see them.”
