HUNDREDS of Christmas shoppers are expected to descend on the city's shops and pubs for one of the busiest 'make or break' trading weekends of the year as the festive party season enters full swing.

Pubs, cafes and restaurants in Worcester anticipate a hectic weekend to bring a huge boost to trade as the sleigh bells - and the tills - ring out for Christmas.

One publican believes the city has now fully shaken off the shackles of the Covid-19 pandemic and it will be the first 'normal' Christmas.

Worcester News: RECORDS: Tim Evans of Toys and Games of Worcester says the Monopoly Worcester Edition will help make this year a record-breaker for sales RECORDS: Tim Evans of Toys and Games of Worcester says the Monopoly Worcester Edition will help make this year a record-breaker for sales (Image: Toys and Games of Worcester)

Tim Evans, owner of Toys and Games of Worcester in Broad Street expects both this weekend, and particularly next weekend to be busy.

He said: "The Worcester Monopoly has been a fantastic addition to our shop. That has been, by far, the number one best-selling item.

"We are expecting to sell out around Christmas and New Year and the next batch will not come in until Easter.

"We have had a really good start to Christmas and we're expecting a busy weekend.

"The big Saturday will be next Saturday but, for us, every day next week will be big. This will be a record year for us."

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He said online shopping has 'died off' because people did not trust delivery services to deliver gifts on time.

"Shoppers are doing their showrooming on the internet but coming into High Street stores to buy it there. People want to come into the shop to buy it local," he said.

Worcester News: FESTIVE: Phillipa Gilfillan from Pack It In - Zero Waste Living shop in Cornmarket FESTIVE: Phillipa Gilfillan from Pack It In - Zero Waste Living shop in Cornmarket (Image: Supplied)

Phillipa Gilfillan runs Pack It In - Zero Waste Living shop in Cornmarket and this year diversified to open a gluten-free, vegan cafe which has been very popular.

She said: "We’re really hoping for a busy weekend with people buying gifts and food for Christmas to help us over a potentially quiet New Year period.

"It’s essential that people consider buying local to support the independent businesses- this Christmas period could be make or break for many."

Worcester News: READY: Fred Jones, landlord of The Imperial Tavern in Worcester city centre is expecting a busy Christmas weekend READY: Fred Jones, landlord of The Imperial Tavern in Worcester city centre is expecting a busy Christmas weekend (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Fred Jones, licensee of the Imperial Tavern in St Nicholas Street, said trade started to pick up around Halloween with this weekend expected to be one of the busiest of the year.

"There are so many events between Halloween and Christmas, including the Victorian Christmas Fayre. That broke records all over the place."

The 57-year-old expects the high footfall to continue until New Year.

"On top of the regulars, you have people coming out for Christmas parties and seasonal drinkers.

"This is probably the first normal Christmas since pre-Covid and finally, everyone is taking the ball and chain off and letting themselves go.

"In previous years there were still a few people nervous about crowds and sceptical about pubs. But for the first time, people feel confident to come out again."