SHOPPERS are flocking to the North East’s retail hotspots as the Christmas season gets under way.

Figures show that footfall in Newcastle’s city centre is hugely up on last year, when snow blanketed the region.

And an initiative to keep shops open past the traditional 5pm closing time has seen up to 90% more people taking to the high street.

According to the figures, from business improvement company NE1, footfall in Newcastle for the weeks commencing November 21 and 28 was up 33% and 44% respectively, compared to the same weeks last year.

Between 5pm and 9pm, the figures make for even stronger reading with a 59% increase after 5pm for the first week, and a 90% increase for the second. The Alive after Five initiative, launched last year, has kept shops in the city open later at night in a bid to attract more people into the city.

Additional attractions such as the festive lights, the Christmas markets and NE1’s Monument Movies, have also contributed to attracting and retaining people in the city centre after dark.

Stephen Patterson, commercial manager for NE1, said: “It has been fantastic to see Newcastle so busy with shoppers over the past few weeks.

“Additional attractions such as the festive lights, Christmas markets and NE1’s Monument Movies all contribute to creating a special atmosphere in the city centre at this time of year.

“In these difficult times, the added convenience of the extended opening times, supported by free car parking after 5pm in the council multi-storeys all helps to deliver better value for shoppers and makes Newcastle’s offer even more attractive.”

The footfall figures reflect the wider picture for retailers and transport operators in the city over the past two weeks.

Department store John Lewis has reported that sales in the week running to December 3 were 18.5% up compared to last year’s figures. Barry Blamire, managing director at John Lewis’s Newcastle store, said: “As the cold weather kicks in winter woollies, coats and boots are all performing well, while shoppers also busy preparing for Christmas with strong sales in Christmas shop and gift food.

“Technology is also proving to be a big hit with Kindles and iPad2 amongst the most popular purchases.”

Phil Steele, general manager of Eldon Square, added: “Christmas trading has been very brisk, with an increase in visitor numbers compared to last year, and retailers are sending out very positive messages.

“Our later December trading hours, until 9pm weekdays, and free parking after 5pm in the city has certainly added to the attractiveness to shopping in the city centre.”

And bus company Stagecoach also reported a surge in passenger numbers at the end of November, with a 16% increase against the same week last year.

Robin Knight, commercial director of Stagecoach North East said: “It is great news for the city, that at this time of year when roads become congested, more people are coming into town but are using the bus to travel.

“The results may have been even stronger, had last year’s figures not been flattered by the additional commuters choosing to travel by bus as a result of the adverse weather conditions.”

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