SHOPPERS are continuing to flock to the Harvey Centre, in Harlow, despite the so-called ‘credit crunch’.

Installed in June 2004, automated footfall counters provide accurate measurement of the centre’s performance in attracting customers.

For the first time since the counters were installed, the Harvey Centre recorded over six million visits in the first six months of the year; an increase of seveb per cent on the same period last year.

Although figures in July and August displayed a reduced level of growth, 0.5 per cent and one per cent respectively, they still compare favourably to the national fall in footfall of 8.5 per cent.

Centre manager Bryan Young puts the Harvey Centre’s performance down to a strong and diverse retail mix.

He said: “Shoppers more than ever want choice. They want to be able to choose whether to buy either a premium or a value product and they want to have that choice under one roof.

“We’re fortunate to have five anchor stores with very different customer profiles. With Marks and Spencer, Bhs, Tesco, Primark and Wilkinson rubbing shoulders, our customers can buy premium, mid range and value products without having to re-park their car!

“Add to that our high street multiples, coupled with our independent retailers throughout the Harvey Centre, Little Walk, West Gate, East Gate and Harvey Approach and we can deliver an attractive mix for shoppers from within a 15 mile radius of Harlow.”

National trade press have also been keeping a keen eye on the Harvey Centre’s performance comparing it to West Midlands’ Merry Hill, Exeter’s Princesshay and Milton Keynes’ the centre:mk.

Mr Young added: “We seem to be punching above our weight in terms of the company that we keep and we’re confident we can improve even further, especially considering some of the new asset initiatives that our owners, the Sapphire Retail Fund are considering.”