A SHOPPING centre in Bradford and independent shops in Keighley are planning some special offers to lure customers back to their stores in September.

Footfall has seen as steady increase despite recent local lockdown measures but independent retailers and shopping centres are not resting on their laurels as they seek to restore consumer confidence with some special offers.

This month Kirkgate Shopping Centre is inviting residents of Bradford to get involved with a special competition where they can win whatever they want from a retailer in the centre up to a value of £50.

The concept of the competition is simple. Shoppers are asked to visit the shopping centre and take a photograph of the desired product they want to win, post the picture on Kirkgate's Facebook competition post or tag the shopping centre on their Instagram feed or story.

One lucky winner will be chosen at random each day and they will be invited to collect their prize from the shopping centre.

Catherine Riley, Centre Manager at Kirkgate Shopping Centre, said: “We really want to give back to our community and this promotion is giving our shoppers an opportunity to win something they really want. It could be a treat for themselves or a loved one.”

"There's a big winner every single day," said Catherine. "We always like to give a lot of opportunities for people to win."

Steve Seymour, Centre Manager at the Airedale Shopping Centre in Keighley also explained that nearly 100 independent shops around Keighley, including those in the Airedale centre, are taking part in a new offer during the month of September.

Steve said the independent business offer involves shoppers getting three stamps on a special card by spending at least £1 or as much as they want at any independent shop in Keighley.

Once they receive three stamps they be entered into a competition that will give them a chance to win £500 in prizes per week throughout September.

"It's vital to get customers back in the shops but it's particularly important for the independents."

He said that customers who have been shopping in the Airedale centre have adapted well to the one-system that is in place and they have respected the mandated face mask policy.

Catherine added: "Retailers in Kirkgate are Covid prepared with hand sanitisers and monitoring customer numbers in shops.

"Shopper numbers are growing steadily and despite some of the new protective measures it hasn't stopped people from shopping."

However, with local lockdown measures still in place for 21 of the 30 wards in the Bradford district, Steve said "getting back to what the rest of the country is doing" would help boost consumer confidence.

He said: "It's important to get back to the 'new normal' but stay as safe as possible."