YATE Shopping Centre bucked the national downwards trend and saw the number of people visiting its shops in the run up to Christmas increase.

Nearly 1.2million shoppers used the centre, which has seen millions of pounds of investment, in December. The figure was up 0.85 per cent on Christmas 2014 and resulted in the busiest Christmas shopping period since a flagship Tesco Extra store opened in 2011.

The increase is in stark contrast to some abysmal shopping figures nationally with shopper numbers down 1.9 per cent as more people order goods online.

The impressive upturn in Yate is being put down to the opening of several brand new stores at the Yate Riverside development opposite the shopping centre on Link Road. Pets at Home and Next and chain restaurants Nando’s, Frankie and Benny’s and Prezzo all opened before Christmas at the £25million leisure and retail complex, built by shopping centre owners Crestbridge Corporate Trustees.

Yate Shopping Centre manager Andy Lowrey said: “These figures are very encouraging and show that Yate Shopping Centre is a key shopping attraction to local and regional visitors.

“The increase in footfall is so important to the independent traders who have benefitted from the attraction of the big name High Street stores.

“Now that Yate Riverside is nearing completion our focus will be on addressing the vacant units in the main centre to drive up traffic through the centre. We are already in discussions with several national and local operators about new lets and hope to make some exciting announcements in the near future.”

He said the opening of a six-screen Cineworld cinema and another restaurant, Dean’s Diner, at the Riverside development in May would help drive up footfall figures even further.

“Whereas many of the new shops and restaurants at Yate Riverside are now open, we still have a lot of work to do,” said Mr Lowrey.

“The new retailers at Yate Riverside are already very popular attractions but it won’t be until the spring that the cinema and Dean’s Diner will be open. This will give added strength to the centre’s offer and will be really exciting times.

“I would also expect the Cineworld to make a significant impact on footfall next Christmas as people will be able to watch the top newly-released films in Yate and won't have to drive further afield.”