Centre breaks a seasonal record

Cornmill gets off to a flyer with festive season performance shopping

A Darlington shopping centre has announced a flying start to 2013 after breaking footfall records over the pre-Christmas weekend.

The Cornmill Shopping Centre welcomed more than 64,000 people through its doors during Saturday, December 22 and Sunday, December 23 2012, the highest recorded figure over any weekend since the centre’s electronic tracking system was installed in 2001.

Susan Young, centre manager at the Cornmill, said she was delighted with the centre’s performance during the late Christmas rush.

She added: “We are pleased to have attracted record visitor numbers the weekend before Christmas as shoppers rushed to buy last minute gifts and finishing touches for their festive celebrations. We’ve been really encouraged by footfall levels during December overall. Many of our retailers have reported strong trading and there’s been a real buzz around the malls.”

The shopping venue starts 2013 with more than 95% occupancy. New tenants in 2012 included fashion retailer BANK and local family firm Jigsaw Puzzles Direct. Bonmarché remained open after being earmarked for closure and Quiz relocated into a 1,700 sq ft unit in the centre, signing a five year lease for the new store.

Young added: “We are very optimistic about the year ahead.  Cornmill has continued to attract a vibrant mix of major high street names and independent stores, ensuring we continue to remain a popular retail location for shoppers in and around Darlington.”

Cornmill Shopping Centre is owned by Moorfield Group.