AFTER national reports of a slump in retail sales over the festive period, Golden Square bosses have revealed a ‘positive increase’ in overall trading figures with even Father Christmas reporting record visitors.

An extra 600 children visited the shopping centre’s festive grotto compared with last year while footfall throughout the month was up by 6.8 per cent, with a record rise of more than 13 per cent during Christmas week – over 1.5 million visitors.

Golden Square Gift cards sales also had a 47 per cent increase in comparison to 2012.

Ian Cox, shopping centre manager, said: “Despite the retail industry suffering nationally, we’ve had a very successful December which is a very encouraging for the year ahead.”

Starbucks in the Golden Square also said sales ‘beat best expectations’.