CHESHIRE Oaks celebrated record-breaking sales between Christmas and New Year.

The outlet village saw its year-on-year trading figures soar by 18% between Boxing Day and January 2 – the highest in its 15-year history.

Like-for-like sales also increased by 22% during the same period.

Cheshire Oaks believes the increase was due to the rise in shoppers receiving cash gifts and vouchers as a result of transport disruptions in the run-up to Christmas, which meant families had to look for alternative gift ideas.

Shoppers from Chester, Liverpool, Manchester and surrounding areas were out in force, as well as visitors from across the globe.

Colin Wilding, country manager for McArthurGlen’s seven UK designer outlets and Cheshire Oaks general manager, said: “Cheshire Oaks saw record sales from the offset on Boxing Day right through to New Year.

“We also saw a huge influx of international shoppers on Boxing Day, with visitors from as far as Asia looking to indulge in luxury high-end brands as well as visiting friends and family over the Christmas period.”

Henrik Madsen, managing director of UK and Northern Europe at McArthurGlen, said: “While the snow made pre-Christmas shopping difficult for some, our UK designer outlets reported a post-Christmas rush, with sales reaching an all-time high on Tuesday, December 28, at 10% ahead of the previous record day.

“Boxing Day was also strong, despite it falling on a Sunday, with all outlets reporting a total sales increase of 9% compared to 2009.”