Arndale expects to pass 40 million visitors
MANCHESTER’S Arndale shopping centre is expecting to beat its footfall target of 40 million visitors for this calendar year.
The Arndale, which claims to be the country’s biggest inner city shopping centre and is home to more than 240 stores, says this month has got off to a flying start, with more than 246,000 visitors on Saturday December 1, up 7% on the comparable Saturday in 2011, and making an all-time record.
To hit the 40 million number, weekly footfall figures need to be around the 980,000 until the end of 2012. With current footfall rates of one million a week, bosses are confident of hitting the milestone.
Centre director David Allinson said: “During 2012 Manchester Arndale has already enjoyed year-on-year growth in visitors and December has got off to a flying start.
“The record Saturday footfall is the highest figure ever witnessed in the centre’s history which is a real achievement for us. We are now anticipating a strong run up to Christmas and the centre’s extended opening hours means we can cope with this additional demand. Even if the weather takes a turn for the worse, as we offer everything for shoppers all under one roof, it is unlikely we’ll be really affected.”
Retailers say the top-selling festive gifts include perfume, costume jewellwey and e-readers such as the Kindle and Kobo.
