Mixed results for town centre independents over Christmas

Denis Hope

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The majority of independent businesses in the town centre have reported "average" trading figures over the festive season, however, one business, Denis Hope on Drake Street, has seen more custom over the festive period.

Oliver Hope said: “There’s certainly been an increase over the Christmas period. We didn’t know what to expect this year as it was a bit hectic with the new tram links but we were pleasantly surprised.”

Ian Sandiford, of Sandiford’s Jewellers and Gift Shop, didn’t see any boom during the usually busy time of year, he said: "Sales remained static really.”

Marjorie Thompson of Chantilly lingerie shop said: “It was a very, very average Christmas."

Angela Jenkin from Number Ten was another independent shop owner who was unimpressed with the results: “We’re an art dealer and gift shop so we expect to do well at Christmas.”

Brown’s Cakes, owned by Natasha Brown, saw no upturn in sales in the festive period, but Ms Brown was expecting this: “We didn’t see a significant rise in sales but most of our business is planned ahead. You have to be having a birthday to need a cake.

“Most of the nearby supermarkets have a range of Christmas cakes and we can’t compete with those really.”