Top shops attract record numbers despite December's difficulties

A RECORD 1.1 million people visited Leeds's upmarket Victoria Quarter during December, according to the building's director.

The pre-Christmas traffic showed an increase of 16.6 per cent on 2008, making the figures the best in the 20-year history of the Victoria Quarter.

Centre director John Bade said: "These are unprecedented figures in what is clearly a very difficult trading market for retailers.

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"When monitoring daily footfall we found very different trends from previous years. Usually there are highs and lows with early and last-minute shoppers but this year was more plateaued with a steady stream week on week."

Victoria Quarter retailers said they had been busy recently..

Since opening last July, Thomas Sabo has traded eight per cent above target.

Victoria Quarter, set in a Grade II* listed building, is fully occupied and houses 74 fashion and lifestyle brands.

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Its owner is Bank of Ireland Private Banker whose asset manager Michael Pettibone said: "We are delighted to achieve record footfall at VQ.

"This is testament to the prominence of the centre and our marketing drive to deliver for our retailers. The customers that we deliver intend to purchase."

Although Victoria Quarter is full, Mr Pettibone said Bank of Ireland Private Banking is still campaigning to attract more prestige brands to Leeds.

"There are still many aspirational brands yet to consider Leeds as a prime target and we are committed to demonstrate that the city does have a very strong customer proposition."

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