L-R Anna Gornall, Town Crier Peter Taunton, Harry Panayi and Kathryn Bloxsome

The return of department store TJ Hughes to Fishergate Shopping Centre is helping to attract more people to Preston city centre, according to new figures.

Fishergate Shopping Centre are reporting an increase in footfall of 10,000 in the first two weeks since opening when compared to figures from September.

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The store reopened in October in its original premises following a five years absence becoming the 19th TJ Hughes shop to be reopened since the chain was bought by Lewis’s Home Retail in August 2011.

MORE: TJ Hughes is open and back in city centre

Fishergate Shopping Centre manager Keith Mitchell said: “There’s no doubt the re-opening of TJ Hughes has created a real buzz.

“And that is reflected in the increasing visitor numbers we’ve seen at the centre since the store opened its doors for trading.

“TJ Hughes was incredibly popular with city centre shoppers in the past and that’s proved to be the case once again, with people returning to the re-opened outlet with real enthusiasm.

“And it has to be said TJ Hughes has created something really special. The outlet looks tremendous.”

TJ Hughes managing director Anil Juneja said: “We are very happy with our first month trading in Preston. The Fishergate Shopping Centre is a fantastic retail location, which is why we were so keen to reopen here.

“We knew we still had a loyal following here and the number of shoppers coming through our doors has been fantastic.

“Preston is a city that’s definitely on the up. We knew Preston had to be a part of our ambitious national expansion plans and it hasn’t disappointed.

“We look forward to working with the Fishergate Shopping Centre for many years to come helping to promote Preston as an attractive retail destination.”

Keith added: “It’s not just TJ Hughes that is attracting visitors.

“There is a real feeling of confidence about Preston city centre as a place to shop and to visit at the moment, which is reflected in the rising numbers of people we are seeing coming into the centre to spend their money.”