Shoppers braved the queues to pick up a bargain in the traditional post-Christmas sales.
Traffic was at gridlock in and out of Teesside Park on Saturday, while shoppers were handed numbered tickets for entry to the Boxing Day sale at Next at the retail park.
Stores have also been busy in Middlesbrough and Stockton town centres since Boxing Day.
Peter Drabble, centre manager at the Hillstreet centre in Middlesbrough, said: “Boxing Day is getting busier every year. We didn’t see huge queues but there is always the problem that there is no public transport on that day, so we did very well for what is expected.
“We are on course for hitting our target of 1.2 million visitors into the centre during December, which is excellent.
“In November alone we had 950,000.
“Sales do help bring in the shoppers, and sales at Primark, Pandora, Debenhams and Marks and Spencer always act as anchors to bring in high footfall.”
Busy shops are a story replicated throughout the entire Christmas period.
Mr Drabble continued: “We have seen a really buoyant Christmas period, with strong sales across the centre.
“This demonstrates the upturn we’ve been seeing in the economy and the commitment of people in Middlesbrough and across Teesside to shop in the town centre.
“Many of our retailers have reported an uplift in sales.
“We’re expecting Hillstreet to remain very busy right up to the new year.”
One shop which has seen a roaring trade is the Middlesbrough branch of jewellery chain Pandora.
A roped-off area for queues that stretch round the side of the shop has been a familiar sight this year. Kelly Rusk, supervisor at the store, said: “I think the queues started in November. It has been busy, like it has been for a few years, but we have had more staff on this year to keep the queue flowing and the system has been welcomed by shoppers.
“The Pandora sale started on Boxing Day, and we saw a lot of people come in to spend their Christmas money. Rings are the most popular item.”
One couple queuing outside the shop were Colin Bell, 49 and his wife Judie, from Stockton.
Colin said: “We were out on Boxing Day and got some bargains in the Boots’ sale. It’s good to see places busy.”
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