"People left their shopping until late and the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas were ridiculously busy, and by far exceeded the equivalent days last year," he said.

"We had a lot of stores open on Boxing Day and it was very busy – astronomically more so than last year – although this week has been quieter."

Nick Meynell, owner of Siena in Market Street, said: "It's been busy, I think people are going to spend their money in the sales whatever.

"People like a bargain and trade has been pretty consistent for us."
Jackie Lee, sales assistant at Rene's/Lapelle in Common Garden Street, said trade had been steady all week, and particularly busy on Monday.

"I think just before Christmas people were waiting for further reductions and so it gradually petered out, but since Christmas we have been really busy," she said.

All Fired Up owner Julian Hickingbotham said the shop's second Christmas in Lancaster had gone well.

"We were a little bit down on last year but it has still been busy," he said. "It certainly wasn't as quiet as people maybe expected."