A Medway shopping centre appears to be defying the economic gloom.

Bosses at Hempstead Valley say post Christmas sales have been going well, albeit with prices slashed by up to 75 per cent to get customers through the doors.

Su Button, Marketing Executive, Hempstead Valley, “Hempstead Valley opened on Boxing Day with over half the stores trading, including Kent’s largest Sainsbury’s.

"Feedback from our retailers indicate this to be our busiest Boxing Day ever, with customers arriving at the centre two hours before the stores opened.”

“The rest of our stores opened on December 27 with good sale discounts being offered of up to 75 per cent off. M&S opened at 7am and the first customers started queuing at 6am to be first in line to bag the best bargains.

"One of our retailers’ discounts proved so popular that long queues formed outside its store for most of the day and it had to introduce a queuing system with one customer allowed in as one left.”

“Hempstead Valley was heaving with customers taking advantage of the great range of discounts and over the weekend our free car parks quickly filled before midday.

"Our convenient location just off junction 4 of the M2 has meant that savvy customers have driven from all over Medway and Kent to find the best bargains.”

• Are you a retailer in Medway? Has the Christmas and New Year period left you relieved or depressed as we enter what is widely expected to be a difficult 2009. Leave your comments below.