With more than 300,000 people a week shopping in the city centre and parking revenues up by 20 per cent Bradford businesses really do have a reason to celebrate this Christmas.

New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that in November retail sales across the country have held steady relative to earlier in the year Catherine Riley, manager of Bradford's Kirkgate Centre, agreed this year's shopper numbers were similar to last year but predicted next week will be even busier.

She said: "It is very busy. The footfall is slightly more than 300,000 a week, which is a lot.

"We always see this phenomenon where people stay close to home the nearer it gets to Christmas."

She said the new Primark store had had a big effect on shoppers and added: "People who would have gone to Leeds don't have to now.

"We even hear of people who live in Leeds but come to Bradford because they like the Primark better."

Mrs Riley added: "Car park takings are up more than 20 per cent compared to last year. And people who come shopping in a car tend to buy more because they are not struggling with bags."

According to the national figures, retail sales from September to November were 0.5 per cent higher than in the previous three months.

This followed a 0.6 per cent growth in the three months to October and compared with an increase of one per cent at the same time in 2005.

The average weekly value of sales in November was £5.5 billion, which is 3.7 per cent higher than in November 2005.

Val Summerscales, of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said spending was following similar trends to last year, but she added: "We are expecting an increase in footfall in Bradford on previous years with Primark being there now. The shop has been a real boost for the city.

"The regeneration has been going on for so long that people have probably got used to the road structure.

"Obviously we would have liked to have seen the new Broadway development under way.

"If people are wanting to come to Bradford I don't think the diversions and road structure will stop them."

Nationally sales by food stores increased by 3.8 per cent over the year compared with 3.2 per cent growth for non-food stores and 7.5 per cent for non-store retailing.

Mark Wright, of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said the city's bars and restaurants had also seen an increase in customers.

He said: "People appear to be spending more at this time of year. There are more people in the shops who then go into the bars and restaurants to rest after a hard day's shopping."

But he added: "Bars and restaurants are doing well but some of them have been adversely affected by the some of the regeneration and the road closures."

e-mail: saima.mir@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

WHAT YOU THINK

Kelly Day, 27, of Westfield Drive, Yeadon: "I will just be spending money on the children this year because it is all about them. I came to Bradford because my friend wanted to come here. I normally go to Leeds just because there are more shops there."

Janette Powell, 31, of Grady Close, Idle: "I have just bought my last bits. I never give a limit on anything - if I see something I buy it. I like to get people what they want.The problem is if you keep coming into town you keep spending more."

Simon Kneeshaw, 22, of Plimsoll Street, East Bowling: "I have spent lots of money, probably too much. I have spent more than last year. I have got a family now and it's different. It is the right thing to do to spend at Christmas."

Joanna Wojnach, 33, of Cook Farm, Shipley: "I think I will be spending more than last year because I have more people to buy presents for. I normally shop in Leeds but I am here in Bradford today because it is easy for me to get to."

Anne Summers, 54, of Hunt Yard, Great Horton: "The shopping is going well. I am just doing my last little bits and I'm not really spending more than last year. I spent about £50 last Christmas and it'll be about the same this year."

Alexander Mclaughlin, 18, of Huddersfield Road, Low Moor: "Unfortunately I have not spent any money yet. I will be buying all my presents next week. I'll be shopping in Bradford because that's where I normally shop. It's easy for me to get to and I can get everything here."