Boost for town centre

Buy photos » Touchwood and Mell Square remained bustling this Christmas. 52.012.022.sol.jm3

SOLIHULL town centre continues to defy the economic downturn with both Mell Square and Touchwood reporting good Christmas sales, footfall figures and boasting full occupancy of stores.

And the managers of both centres are predicting a successful 2013 for all their retailers on the back of equal or more visitors than the same festive period last year.

Andrew Cole, general manager at Touchwood, said: “We experienced an influx of guests in the run up to Christmas when we worked hard to transform the centre into a winter wonderland.

"As a result, we have enjoyed a solid festive trading period with increases across our sales, footfall and grotto visitor numbers.

"The fact that Touchwood is fully let is also testament to the strength of the brand and its current trading position.

“We have created some real momentum this year and are confident that our retailers will continue to trade well throughout the busy New Year sales."

Mell Square Shopping Centre manager, Paul Round added: “We have been really encouraged by our figures so far, with performance and footfall on a par with last year, giving us real reason for optimism.

“The arrival of new stores during the final quarter of the year have certainly contributed to the centre’s performance by adding quality and diversity to our offering."

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