Traders in mid Essex have enjoyed a happy Christmas.

In Chelmsford, the experimental opening of the High Chelmer Centre on Boxing Day was as successful as any good Sunday, said bosses. And on the bank holidays both High Chelmer and Meadows managements recording trade 20 per cent better than December 2003.

Both saw a surge in Christmas Eve shopping, which they believe stems from the failed delivery of Internet-ordered gifts.

"People felt they had to have something for round the tree," said High Chelmer's Mick McDonagh.

The town's Meadows Centre was reeling on December 20 after a record weekend according to boss Malcolm Tilsed.

The number of people who entered the precinct on Saturday December 18, was up 26 per cent on last year. Sunday December 19's figure was up 59 per cent on the same day in 2003.

Both centres said Chelmsford tends to buck national trends because of its low unemployment, general level of higher paid employees and a continuing feel good factor based on a more stable property market, whereas nationally the British Retail Consortium is reporting a six per cent drop in footfall so far this season.

Dunmow's traders had a bumper Christmas period. with a surge of last minute shoppers setting tills ringing.

Mike Perry, chairman of the Dunmow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "I have been talking to the traders and most of them say they have been very busy. Many of our shops offer more individual and different gifts which attract a lot of shoppers to the town, creating a nice buzz."

He said most of the Christmas boom was owed to the season's climax falling on a weekend, affording shoppers extra days in the week to buy presents.

Traders in the George Yard Shopping Centre in Braintree had a surge in trade in the days before Christmas.

Manager Brenda Baker said on one day 22,000 shoppers were reported in the centre in the run up to Christmas. Manager of Braintree Freeport Shopping Village John O'Shea said: "Since Christmas the sales have been very successful with the biggest day of the year on the 27th." One of our major retailers had their biggest day on record. I know that some managers have doubled their takings over the same sales period last year."

Careful Witham shoppers waited until the last minute to buy gifts in the sales. Trade got busier in the last few days, and peaked on a panicky Christmas Eve, said Sally Carpenter, chairman of the town's Chamber of Commerce.

Although there are no trade figures available yet, she said she thought it had been about the same as last year; brisk and satisfactory rather than outstanding.

Murray Foster, Maldon's Town Centre Manager, said: trade had been very good: "The feedback I have had has been very positive. "Maldon held its own in a very competitive retail Christmas market because of our individual shops and relaxing eateries."

Published Tuesday January 4, 2005

Brought to you by the Essex Chronicle