Newcastle's Eldon Square to open for longer as business bounces back

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Jan 5, 2023

Newcastle shopping destination Eldon Square is to build on its 2022 success by extending trading hours this year. It has seen increased visitor numbers and rising consumer demand so the centre will now open for an extra hour a day, 9am-7pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, with later trading on Thursday to 8pm, and Sunday trading from 11am-5pm.

It’s yet another sign that physical shopping is bouncing back in a way many had expected was unlikely post-pandemic. But the recovery has been uneven with major malls like Eldon Square enjoying rising footfall while other destinations have struggled.

BdailyNews reported Eldon Square saying retail unit occupancy levels have returned to pre-pandemic levels and that “in-centre brand diversity is at an all-time high, bolstered by the attraction of several new global retail giants”. This includes the additions of Mango, Victoria’s Secret, and Swatch, “all providing a unique offering to consumers of the North East”.

With visitor levels having increased quarter-on-quarter for the past two years, and footfall up 43% vs 2021, Cormac Hamilton, the mall’s general manager, said: “With the centre offering a greater selection of global brands than ever before as well as a variety of leading local independents, we are sure that Eldon Square will grow and develop as the vibrant social hub that our customers and retailers have grown to love.”