Recipe for success

The Swan Centre in Eastleigh received record visits this December when footfall figures showed an increase of 29% on the previous year when the national benchmark stands at 16%.

With over 75% of retailers reporting excellent sales over the Christmas period and many reporting an increase in sales continuing through January, the Swan Centre as a whole is enjoying a very Happy New Year.

John Merryman Manager of Boots said “we passed our targets for December and are set to have a very strong January.” he added, “Sales were great in the run up to Christmas even the difficult weather conditions failed to have an impact, we’re looking forward to a good start to 2010”.

Some of the success will invariably be attributed to the expansion of the Swan Centre which saw the opening of its state of the art Vue Cinema and AMF Bowling Centre, plus two great restaurants Frankie and Benny’s and Nando’s.

Vue Cinema received a record number of visits in December totalling over 44,000 including almost 11,000 people seeing Avatar in 3D, the largest grossing film in history. So if you haven’t seen it yet then be sure to book your tickets, Vue Eastleigh is still showing this pioneering blockbuster which is a must see on the big screen.

During December 12270 drinks were purchased and 6038 people bought popcorn and Vue’s busiest day to date was Wednesday 30th Dec, with 4304 people seeing a film helping to make Vue’s first Christmas at the Swan Centre a very successful one, seeing 38,362 visits over the Christmas and New Year period.

Frankie and Benny’s also enjoyed a highly successful Christmas period with a huge uplift in trade and as we celebrate 50 years of British Ten pin Bowling AMF report a fantastic Christmas, with AMF Eastleigh finishing 2nd on the national AMF revenue league table. They received record bookings for New Years Eve and are set to smash all targets for January

As we settle into 2010 the Swan Centre, which celebrates its 21st anniversary this year is looking forward to enjoying even more success stories and going from strength to strength as more tenants prepare to move into the remaining units over the next few months.

Centre Manager Dee Buffone said “We have worked hard over the last year to ensure that we keep our strong tenant base and give our shoppers excellent choice when it comes to shopping eating and entertainment, while keeping them informed of the latest money saving offers, promotions and events”.