HAVE you ever heard of a shopping centre using something called a Quick Response code to bring offers and discounts to their customers on their smartphones?

I certainly hadn’t, so when I was asked by the Eastgate Shopping Centre to test out their new piece of technology I was a little hesitant.

This is the centre’s first step into the advanced techological world and for impatient shoppers like me I think it is going to be a success.

The technology is well known to smartphone users, but it is hoped shoppers will revel in the fact local offers can be brought to them in an instant.

The code comes from what looks like a random selection of black dots in a box, but it is actually a gateway to a series of instant offers and discounts for shops and restaurants in the centre.

The offers are sent straight to your phone and so far customers can take advantage of deals at New Look, Clarks, Debenhams, Asda, Virgin Media, and restaurant Nandos.

To use a QR code all you need to do is download the free app called I-nigma. Your phone’s camera then reads the code and a webpage with the offers for that particular shop comes up.

Even with my limited knowledge of technology, I found the codes were very easy to use and I would recommend them for anyone who doesn’t have time to check individual shops for discounts and deals.