Many shops and pubs in Lancaster city centre have reported strong trading figures during the Christmas period.
City centre footfall was up 2.4 per cent year-on-year in December, according to figures from Lancaster Business Improvement District (BID).
The Lancaster Pubwatch group said that “trade over the Christmas period was good for most businesses".
"The city centre was its usual welcoming self with very few incidents and on the busy weekends just ahead of Christmas everyone had a good time.”
Tim Tomlinson, owner of The White Cross, Stonewell Tap and Merchants 1688, said his venues saw around a 15 per cent year on year increase in sales.
A Lancaster BID spokesperson said: "Independent retailers were a popular choice for gifts with Proper Lovely in Marketgate reporting strong trading for their local handmade craft and gift items whilst Ethel & Em on New Street having their best Christmas ever with phenomenal trading between Christmas and New Year proving that knitting and crochet remains a popular pastime.
"National retailers also reported excellent trading throughout December with the opening of a new Sports Direct store in St Nic’s Arcades proving a particular success.
"Opening just two weeks before Christmas, the store immediately proved a huge draw with sales figures during the first two weeks being approximately 50 per cent above target.
"Public events such as Lancaster On Ice and Lancaster BID’s Winter Wonderland and Festive Friends ensured there was a festive feel welcoming visitors to Lancaster.
Below, the Lancaster On Ice Big Wheel
"Fantastic entertainment for the whole family was also on offer at venues including The Dukes, Lancaster Grand, Lancaster Castle, The Priory and both Marketgate and St Nic’s shopping centres.
"Free car parking provided by Lancaster City Council also helped to boost footfall on Sundays and after 3pm during Christmas week.
"However, the primary attraction for Christmas shoppers has to be the fantastic range of independent shops and hospitality businesses alongside the High Street favourites.
"Special thanks must go to all the dedicated staff working hard in Lancaster’s shops, cafes, restaurants and licensed premises for making the city such a magical place to visit and ensuring festive shoppers were made welcome.
"It seems that these efforts paid off as many businesses across all sectors have reported very successful trading during the festive season."
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