CHRISTMAS trade at the Sovereign Shopping Centre was up by more than a third compared with last year. Manager Nick Cooke and Chamber of Commerce president David Wallace said this week that they remain hopeful for Weston High Street's future. More than 50

CHRISTMAS trade at the Sovereign Shopping Centre was up by more than a third compared with last year. Manager Nick Cooke and Chamber of Commerce president David Wallace said this week that they remain hopeful for Weston High Street's future.More than 500,000 people visited the shopping centre compared with only 401,155 people last year, representing a massive 34% increase in figures for the week from December 11-17.Mr Cooke said: "I have to say I am a little surprised but some traders are doing very well.""Gilesports, The Body Shop and Waterstone's have done particularly well."I think because Christmas was on a Monday this year, there were many people who had a full week off work and therefore had longer to shop."But he and David Wallace remain concerned that Weston is still not getting its fair share of trade. Mr Wallace said: "Weston requires more businesses in the services sector in order to increase the number of higher paid individuals in the town."Mr Cooke added: "A lot still needs to change in Weston before we can start attracting the likes of Debenhams, Primark and HMV. Then we would stay open late every night."Transport is still an issue. Too many people are still going to Cribbs Causeway to do their shopping and North Somerset Council needs to address this.