SUNDAY shopping, aimed at luring customers away from Southampton's new blockbusting retail complex WestQuay, got off to a steady start at Eastleigh's Swan covered shopping centre.
The Sunday trading doors have been thrown open for a six-month trial period.
Until now Sunday trading has been restricted to the build-up to Christmas.
As Eastleigh faces fierce competition from the new £295 million complex at WestQuay, the railway town needs to boost its shopping attractions.
The decision to open the Swan on Sundays was taken some time ago. The issue had been raised at regular forums of Swan traders and the majority of tenants had expressed a wish to open on Sundays.
There was no Sunday stampede to the Swan but a spokesman, who reported a steady trade, said: "It was just ticking over."
An advertising campaign being launched this week is expected to bring in more customers.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article