New store boosts shopper numbers

The 56,000 sq ft branch at Crystal Peaks opened on Thursday, July 26, and managers say it had an “instant impact” on visitor numbers.

Centre manager Lee Greenwood said: “We have only had the time to analyse figures for the first couple of weeks but, in that time, the number of people coming into the centre from the North Walk entrance, closest to Marks and Spencer, was up by 30 per cent and in the second week that figure was even a little higher.

“What is even more important though is that footfall throughout the centre as a whole and not just in the Marks and Spencer area is higher than this period last year.

“And, following a summer that has included a number of special attractions for all the family, we are confident that we go into our extremely busy autumn period and the run-up to Christmas in a very strong position.”

Crystal Peaks, in the south-east of Sheffield, opened in 1988.