AFTER a horror year that has included shut downs and job losses, it appears many local shops are going to end the year on a high note.
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Bathurst two major shopping centres, as well as other central business district retailers, have reported a very busy Christmas season.
Bathurst City Centre manager Ivan Christian said customers have been shopping up a storm.
"The lead up to Christmas has been a great success, and feedback from our retailers suggests that they've had a bumper season so far," he said.
The Boxing Day period is also expected to be popular, he said.
With COVID-19 still a threat, every precaution is being taken at the centre to protect customers.
"These measures include increased cleaning to strengthen the focus on sanitising common areas with high-grade disinfectant, placement of permanent hand sanitisation stations at key points throughout the centre, and a centre-wide signage campaign that reminds our community to practise social distancing, and how to keep safe and protect others during this time," Mr Christian said.
"We are also working closely with our retail partners to ensure they have approved COVID Safe Plans in place, and ensuring that the number of people within their tenancies does not exceed the designated amount, and that they are also encouraging social distancing."
Similar steps are being taken at Armada Bathurst, which has also seen a lot of foot traffic in recent weeks.
"It's been fantastic. We've actually seen that customers have been shopping earlier this year, so it has been spread out over the last four weeks," centre manager Sandy Matthews said.
"It's just been a steady flow of customers."
She was quietly confident that COVID-19 wouldn't hurt Christmas trade in Bathurst.
"I feel that Bathurst has come out the other side of the pandemic from March, April, May pretty strong," Ms Matthews said.
"I was expecting [Christmas trade] to be similar to last year, if not better than last year."
The centre has been offering extended trading hours to help people finalise their Christmas shopping.
Another Christmas success story is Gorgeousness, which has seen high demand on both sides of the business.
Owner Bronwyn Aberley said there were times this year that she thought the business would have to close, but support from locals has turned things around.
It has actually been one of the business' best Christmases, she said.
"I think locals have really stepped up and decided to support local business," she said.
And it's not only loyal customers turning up.
"We've seen lots of new faces and men, which has been promising; they've been out shopping for their wives and girlfriends," Ms Aberley said.
BooksPlus owner Kathryn Bancroft has also reported a busy season, with many people looking to get books for Christmas.
"It's been a great trade. and the whole year has been good for us," she said.
