LIVERPOOL shoppers were keen to get into the Christmas spirit early on Saturday - by packing out Liverpool ONE in all-time record droves.

The city centre retail hub says it recorded the busiest day in its history since it opened in 2008.
 
Saturday November 30 saw a 4.5pc increase in visitors, it says, with the tills ringing in a 9pc increase in sales compared to the same Saturday in 2012. 

Not only did it leed to an uplift in sales of popular goods such as clothing, toys and jewellery but a significant increase in visits to its Ice Festival on Chavasse Park and Liverpool ONE’s restaurants all busy.

With four weeks to go until Christmas Day, Estate Director Chris Bliss said he was confident the retailers will experience a successful season.

 “Like the Americans anticipate ‘Black Friday’ as the start of the Christmas retail rush, for us the first Saturday after November payday can see over double the amount of shoppers than an average Saturday, a ‘Super Saturday’ you might say."

Ice rink

“This has been a great year for Liverpool ONE and the significant increase in footfall is very promising as we move towards Christmas. In December last year we saw more than 3.5million visitors to Liverpool ONE and we’re expecting this year to be just as strong.”

Chris Bliss added: “We also have the Ice Festival as an added attraction. The upturn in visits and footfall goes to show that shoppers are still favouring the overall experience of visiting destinations such as Liverpool ONE over online shopping because they want to come and physically buy gifts for their loved-ones, eat at our restaurant, drink in our bars and even skate on our ice rink.

Liverpool ONE says it continues to buck national trends, trading 26pc ahead of UK averages.


 Last chance to take advantage of our exclusive 2 for 1 deal on ice skating at Liverpool ONE here. But get your skates on, offer ends Thursday December 5!

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