During September nearly 1.04 million shoppers passed through the Centre, an increase of 9.53% on the year before, despite the economic climate. The national trend shows an average 7% decline in numbers across the country for the last twelve months.
The first three weeks of October have been just as busy with numbers already exceeding last year’s total for the month.
Mark Hull, commenting on the figures for owners, Dominion Corporate Trustees, said: “The Centre’s popularity coupled with very few empty shops, and strong performance from the likes of Bon Marche who are month-on-month up on their opening monthly budgeted figures, as well as the travel agents who seem to be bucking the trend, all leads me to believe we are continuing to improve the scheme, by improving the tenant mix.
“New retailers since the beginning of September 2009 include the opening of the Orange mobile phone shop within East Walk opposite Superdrug, the upsizing of Card Factory who have taken the old Bay Trading Clothes shop within West Walk and the re-occupation of the former Birthdays /Clinton Cards shop in West Walk by Birthdays Partyland, who are the successors of the original Birthdays Card chain.
“Furthermore in the next few weeks we will see the completion of the new health centre and South Gloucestershire’s largest library facility, both of which will help to attract further visitors into the area.”
The owners are also currently doing extensive maintenance work throughout the Centre to make it brighter and more appealing, all of which will be completed in time for the launch of its Christmas 2009 programme on 19th November