Freeze and thaw serves up doom and boom

Denis Hope

It’s been an up and down Christmas for Rochdale town centre.

The last weekend before Christmas, traditionally a very busy weekend, was badly affected by the heavy snow and sub zero temperatures, which kept many shoppers away. However, bargain hunters flocked to the shops on Boxing Day (Saturday 26th) as the temperature rose, the freeze thawed and retailers began their 'January' sales early.

Oliver Hope of Denis Hope said: "we saw less customers than expected pre-Christmas due to the bad weather but Boxing Day, the start of our sale, was very busy."

Both the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre and the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre were very busy on Boxing Day and the footfall level is expected to have increased on last year.

The latest Chamber of Commerce quarterly economic survey showed confidence among businesses was at its highest since early 2008. Economic conditions are undoubtedly still tough, but 2010 can be viewed with more optimism.