SHOPPING centres in south Essex enjoyed a bumper Christmas period as visitors flocked to buy presents.
High Street shopping has taken a hit in recent years for a variety of reasons, but particularly because of the accessibility and convenience of online shopping.
However, despite this growth in shopping via the world wide web, shopping centres says stores have been extremely busy in the lead up to Christmas.
Ian Clark, who manages Basildon’s Eastgate Centre, said that shoppers have flocked to the centre despite the competition from online stores.
He said it was thanks to the festive atmosphere in the town centre.
He said: “The run up to Christmas has been extremely busy at Eastgate and reports from retailers are that Christmas trading is really positive.
“There is competition from online retailers but Basildon shoppers have been coming in their thousands to purchase gifts, fashions and food for Christmas.
“I think shoppers still really enjoy the communal festive atmosphere, the choice and the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping.
“It puts everyone in the mood for the big day.”
Andy Pay, from the Knightswick Shopping Centre, in Knightswick Road, Canvey, said: “It seems to have been very positive.
“Our Christmas events have done well and we even had a Christmas Grotto at the centre which the children enjoyed.
“On Canvey, the types of shopping that tend to happen is people will do their big shop online then they will come to the centre for their smaller bits for Christmas.
“It has been really positive here and lots of people have been in the mall and the car parks are busy so retailers have come into their own over the period.”
Some shoppers have said they prefer to get out of the house and use the shops.
Lisa Fields, 37, who shopped at the Eastgate shopping centre, said: “I really like to browse shops.
“I know you can browse online but it just isn’t the same when you are staring at a computer screen. It just gives me a headache, personally.”
Another Eastgate shopper, Brenda Saxby, said: “I have never bought anything online.”
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