Grabbing their VAT-free goodies from Boots are Alex, left, and Emma Henry who arrived from the UK that morning. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0694811)

SHOPPERS took advantage of the post-Christmas sales with many up bright and early to get the best bargains.

Next opened its doors at 5am on Saturday and several hours later the shop was still busy with islanders searching through the rails and leaving with several bags full.

Boots, Creaseys and HS2 were also holding sales. ‘We’ve kicked off quite nicely,’ said Marc Maubec, owner of HS2.

‘I think having it on a Saturday will help and I think we are going to have a really busy day. We had a good run up, the last few days until Christmas. Our reductions are about the same as last year but to be fair we always have a good sale. There’s really nothing that isn’t in the sale.’

Tony Creasey of Creaseys said despite it being early, people seemed to have made the effort to come in for the sales.

‘It’s not a normal working day for a lot of people and they are just starting to arrive,’ he said.

‘There’s an encouraging number of people in Town. The weather is wonderful so I think it will encourage people out for a bit of fresh air and there are plenty of bargains.’