Bargain hunters hit Rotherham shops

BARGAIN hunters were determined to have a cracking Christmas despite the credit crunch and were out supporting Rotherham businesses in the run-up to December 25.Town traders, Parkgate Shopping Centre and Meadowhall all reported positive news after a diffic
BARGAIN hunters were determined to have a cracking Christmas despite the credit crunch and were out supporting Rotherham businesses in the run-up to December 25.

Town traders, Parkgate Shopping Centre and Meadowhall all reported positive news after a difficult 2009 for the retail industry.

Measures to lure shoppers back into the hard-hit town centre appeared to be working as since the seasonal lights switch-on, the numbers of shoppers was three per cent higher than in 2008, according to Rotherham Borough Council figures.

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The Real Reindeer Parade family event two weeks ago saw more than double the number of visitors. There were also more street markets, entertainment and free parking.

"We have been working hard in the past year to deliver what shoppers and retailers asked for," said Cllr Gerald Smith, cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and Transportation.

"This has resulted in more parking on Corporation Street, free parking after 3pm and all weekend leading up to Christmas.

"There's been a crackdown on anti-social behaviour with an increased presence of uniformed police, community support officers and wardens.

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"But our efforts won't stop there and there is more to come in 2010. However, the figures for this year have been very encouraging and show that we are on the right track."

Parkgate centre manager Denis Copeland said that he thought that Christmas was bucking the recession because people did not want to skimp on treating their nearest and dearest.

He added: "We monitor the number of cars coming in and are currently just under six per cent up on last year, which is great news for us.

"We can put this down to a number of issues. The closure of Woolworths has brought a lot of toy customers over to us. From feedback people want to shop more locally, so we're quick, easy and convenient for that.

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"Marks & Spencer and Morrisons are seeing the food trade really picking up now. I know it's different compared with town centres, but for us to have no vacant units is very pleasing."

A round-the-clock gritting contract for snowy conditions was helping, Mr Copeland said, and the FreeBee bus was boosting the number of visitors without cars.

The Boxing Day opening of furniture store John Peters will mean every unit at Parkgate is let and open.

Meadowhall has been even busier than last year, with more than 200,000 visitors over the first weekend this month.

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