Shops braced for busiest day of year after trading hours call rejected
Shops across Kent are braced for the busiest day of
the year today as shoppers snap up last-minute gifts.
Stores are expected to be more packed than last year's
run-up to Christmas after the government rejected calls for
longer opening hours.
Retail giants had last month asked for longer
Sunday trading hours because the weekend falls close to the
big day.
Small businesses in Kent are expected to benefit from extra
trade - because they will be able to stay open for longer than six
hours.
It comes as Bluewater predicts this will be its busieset weekend
of the year with 275,000 shoppers expected through the doors.
The Greenhithe shopping centre has seen more
than 600,000 vistors in the five days from Monday.
Bluewater general manager Robert Goodman said: "With this
weekend being the last chance for many people to complete their
Christmas shopping, we are expecting Bluewater to be very
busy.
"Key sellers will be fashion, gifts and, reflecting the last
minute shopping of some guests, lingerie and jewellery."
21/12/12
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