Mixed reports on Christmas takings
IT HAS been a tale of mixed fortunes for Hornsea businesses over the festive period.
While Hornsea Freeport and some town centre businesses have reported success, the independent traders say takings are down by up to 45 per cent.
Several million pounds was invested in improving shopping in the town last year, including I-Space's £2.4m transformation of an old petrol station site into six retail units.
A Tesco store, including a petrol station, celebrated its first Christmas in Southgate with good sales.
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Simon Tudor, centre manager at Hornsea Freeport, said the outlet shopping centre has continued to go from strength to strength.
After announcing a sales increase of 17.5 per cent and visitor numbers up by 15.4 per cent at the end of 2011, the centre has traded at 4 per cent ahead in the past year, boasting visitor numbers of 2.9 per cent ahead.
Mr Tudor said: "We're very pleased with our overall performance throughout last year, and to have continued to build on the incredible sales and footfall increases we experienced last year, despite the current economic climate, is a real achievement.
"These figures show Hornsea Freeport is continuing to head in the right direction, and we feel confident this year will prove just as fruitful.
"We've already had a very successful start to the year with increased footfall and sales for the first week of January and we are currently experiencing lots of new tenant interest which is fantastic."
However, Malcolm Dearing, from Hornsea Fish-deli and Fish Cheesemongers in Newbegin, says the picture is very different for the independent traders.
He said: "Footfall has been about 45 per cent down for me. Since Tesco has opened, the high street has died.
"It is a struggle and I'm trying to do the only thing independent traders can do and offer something different to the supermarket.
"We sell select cheeses which can't be bought in the supermarket and also opened out into a deli and sell wines.
"I bet I'm the only fish monger with table and chairs offering customers a cup of coffee and a glass of wine."
It is hoped work on six single-storey retail units by Kemp Development in Newbegin could start this year, which would further boost the retail offering along Newbegin.
Andrew Dunn, Tesco store manager in Hornsea, said: "Trade was good last year and we have beat our sales forecast.
"We also did get customers coming to Hornsea to do their shopping from Hull and Beverley, saying they came here because it wasn't as congested."
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