MORE shoppers have visited Blackburn town centre’s shopping arcade so far this year than last.

According to new figures revealed by bosses of The Mall, footfall is once again on the up compared to last year.

They show that footfall has increased by 11.3 per cent last month compared to January 2011.

The busiest week of January showed a surge of a 14 per cent. Figures werev also up for the sales over Christmas.

Mall’s bosses said that was due to shoppers taking advantage of the post-Christmas bargains.

They said the figures also revealed that just four per cent of shops in the site were empty and described the situations as ‘exceptionally positive’ given current national retailing conditions.

Shopping centre managers said high-profile household name shops such as Primark, Costa Coffee, H&M and Next, had attracted people to the town.

And added that new store openings, joint retailer promotions, special events and the new 70,000sqft £8million Blackburn Market had helped boost numbers and generate interest.

Blackburn Market was given an added boost when it was named Best Indoor Market by The National Association of British Market Authorities last month.

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “We have enjoyed a wonderful start to 2012 despite the economic unease and bleak national retail picture.

“Blackburn Market, which is based in the lower level of The Mall, has also helped to pull in the crowds and was, quite rightly, named Best Indoor Market by The National Association of British Market Authorities earlier this year.

“The team at The Mall have worked tirelessly to continue to introduce household names and independent retailers to offer the people of Blackburn and beyond a fantastic shopping experience.”

Phil Ainsworth, Blackburn town centre jeweller Phil Ainsworth, of A Ainsworths and Sons, Darwen Street, and a member of the town centre partnership, said: “The Mall is extremely popular but we have to look at supporting other areas in the town centre so shoppers don’t just stick to the main newly regenerated mall area.

“We have a number of empty units and hopefully people will be encouraged to open other shops in the town centre.”