THERE are fears that many customers in South Cheshire could do their Christmas shopping outside the area.

It comes as a number of outlets are shops and stores are choosing not to extend their usual opening hours. But at the same time there are predictions of a bright future for the district's retailers.

With Chester, Hanley and Cheshire Oaks just up the road, many retailers in Crewe town centre do not feel it is worth trying to compete with late night and Sunday shopping.

But with retail growth in South Cheshire recently ranked amongst the highest in the country, and the promise of multi-million pound investment in Crewe town centre soon to become a reality, it seems shoppers may have plenty to celebrate this Christmas after all.

While the first round of late night and Sunday trading in Crewe proved quiet with only large chains like Marks & Spencer opening at this stage, most smaller businesses in the town are expected to follow suit this week.

The Market Centre announced its extended Christmas hours when Father Christmas opened a grotto on Saturday, November 27.

Not all shops in the centre were open the next day, but centre spokeswoman Lynne Champion Jones says Crewe has to be realistic about its position as a small retail town.

She said: 'People still go elsewhere to do the bulk of their Christmas shopping because it is easy to get to places like the Trafford Centre, Cheshire Oaks, Chester and Hanley.

'The week before Christmas will be very busy in Crewe as people pick up last minute bits and pieces. We are opening the centre until 8pm all that week, 9pm on the Thursday.

There is a feeling in the town that Crewe could have a very bright future in the shopping stakes.

Cllr Terry Beard, who sits on Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council's local economy committee, said: 'Crewe remains a small retail town at present but knowing what the plans are, with the Modus investment in the Queensway complex and the Eaton Street leisure development etc, I think this town could become a mecca for shoppers.

Most shops will be open until 8pm every Thursday between now and Christmas, and every Sunday between 10am and 4pm. There will only be limited trading on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.