Houndshill on alert for Black Friday record

Houndshill Shopping Centre said more than 20 stores will be taking part to offer one off reductions in the trendy sales promotion which started online.

Shoppers will be able to wrap up their Christmas shopping early with the centre opening at 7.30am and trading 8am to 8pm.

Debbs Lancelott, Houndshill Centre Manger, said: “It’s great to have so many stores taking part and offering such great deals just in time for Christmas shopping.

“It’s going to be a really busy Friday and weekend at the centre.”

Free parking is also available for all early birds available 7am to 9am.

Meanwhile research today from Barclaycard says that this year’s Black Friday spending is set to be driven by shoppers in search of a present for themselves, rather than buying Christmas gifts for their family or partner. With a third of Brits (33 per cent) looking to bag a bargain, six in 10 (62 per cent) of them will indulge in self-gifting, a number that rises to more than eight in ten (84 per cent) for Londoners.

By contrast, 51 per cent plan to buy for their family and just 40 per cent will be shopping for their partner.

And 29 per cent of shoppers planning to buy on Black Friday have their eye on electronics, with TVs, tablets and mobile phones topping the wish lists.