Gloomy Christmas for businesses

Shopkeepers in Derby's Cathedral Quarter say they made less profit over the Christmas period than last year.

Businesses in the area blame the drop in trade on the opening of the £340m Westfield Centre, which boasts nearly 150 shops and a cinema.

Terri Reynolds, who runs a shoe shop, said she wants to know what will happen to stores vacated by retailers moving to the new centre.

She said Cathedral Quarter traders are struggling with poor sales.

Ms Reynolds explained: "We're trying to get by on what we're making now which is thousands of pounds a week less than we were making this time last year and it only takes a few weeks like that for you not to be able to pay your bills."

One man closing two of his three stores met the city council leader on Friday to discuss the future.

Martin Roper, who is shutting his footwear and women's wear shops, met the city council leader Chris Williamson at the Council House, along with two other shopkeepers from the Cathedral Quarter.