People are still supporting their local shops – but free parking seals the deal.

Medway’s three main shopping centres have exclusively revealed to the Messenger how they fared during December and while two boasted increases, one saw a small and expected decline.

Anthony Sutton, centre manager at Dockside Outlet Centre said December was 10% up on the year, with post-Christmas sales up 3%.

He said: “We normally find there’s a bit of a pinch point, when we have a particularly manic day, but we didn’t have any moments like that this year.”

The centre had a change of ownership early in 2015 which saw huge changes including new tenants Suit Direct, Discount Toy Warehouse and The Beauty Store – while Poundstretcher doubled in size and was completely refitted.

“We’re on the brink of announcing new stores set to come to the centre in 2016, Dockside will continue to grow and change for a better shopping experience. It’s all about understanding that shopping habits are changing and adapting to that.”

Mr Sutton and Mark Rumfitt, centre manager at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, agreed that while the growth online was an initial concern for retailers, it is actually proving fruitful for them.

With Click-and-Collect becoming more popular, many people are opting to still go to the centres and time collections with extra shopping, so the footfall is still high.

Mr Rumfitt said: “This year we opened our new restaurants and they have helped us have a record Christmas.

“It’s been really strong all the way through December.

Hempstead was also 10% up on last year and saw a very busy day on December 23 with queues outside Marks & Spencer food from 6am, but shoppers still managed to get parked.

He added: “I think people have a bit more money in their pockets this year, they’re more confident about their financial positions.”

Chatham’s Pentagon centre was hit from the growth of online, with footfall figures down an expected 2% on last year.

But with 46,000 walking through the doors on December 23, and 816,000 visitors throughout December, it is still 3.5% up on the national benchmark.