LATE-NIGHT shopping got off to a good start yesterday but retailers are sure the busiest is yet to come. Hundreds of people descended on Town to make the most of the extra shopping hours, but the next few Thursday nights are expected to be heaving with hundreds more.
‘I think most shops will have experienced a busy night, but it’s only 6 December and there’s still plenty of time to do the shopping,’ said Tony Creasey, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce retail subcommittee.
‘The lights are on now and the Christmas season is under way. The amount of people in Town tends to build up over the next few weeks as people start using the night for socialising.’
Fletcher Sports owner Terry Ferbrache agreed that although business is usually good on the first night, it is always the quietest of the late-night shopping events. Sales will only get better, he added.
‘On the first night, I tend to find there are a lot of groups who spend their time looking around. But they’ll start buying as it gets closer to Christmas. The real rush seems to get later every year.’
Buskers, outdoor stalls and the sale of roasted chestnuts lent a festive atmosphere to the night, with some charities using it as an opportunity to raise funds.
Young Enterprise companies such as Innovision, Rave and Strike used it as a chance to showcase and sell their stock.
The Best Sellers, a company put together by Oakvale pupils, lived up to its name after getting a good take-up on its hand-made mobile phone holders and old-fashioned Santa sacks.
* Late shopping will also be available on Thursday 13 and 20 December. Shops will close at 9pm on these nights.
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