Soaring numbers of shoppers are heading into central Manchester in the run-up to Christmas, sending demand for car parking spaces through the roof.

Selfridges in Exchange Square has revealed it has experienced a 25 per cent hike in footfall, while there has been a 65 per cent rise in visitors to King Street, reports the Manchester Evening News.

As well as the appeal of all the major high street stores, extra attractions such as the Christmas markets are being cited as reasons for this boom in demand.

Local stores conducted a survey that showed more than nine out of ten shoppers are planning to buy gifts both on the high street and via the internet this year.

Jane Sharrocks, general manager at Selfridges in Exchange Square, said: "We're delighted to see the results of this survey, which demonstrate that the added pull of activities like the Christmas markets, carol singers and pop-up eateries and bars make a real occasion out of coming in to Manchester to do your Christmas shopping."

Of course, the rise in the number of people in shops in Manchester means there has also been a surge in demand for car parking spaces in the city, with NCP saying its facilities there have witnessed a 15 per cent increase in vehicles compared with last year.

Pat Karney, a city centre spokesman, said Manchester offers a "unique experience" for Christmas shoppers and this is why it is so popular.

The company could be wise to take on more people in parking jobs, both to ensure every visitor pays the required tariff for their stay and to direct traffic to available spaces so that congestion does not become an issue.

Mr Karney added tens of thousands of people are now flocking to Manchester from all around the UK and the city is sure to break all manner of records over the festive season.

With the above in mind, we'd like to wish all of our candidates & clients a big Happy Christmas from the whole team at Unity Recruitment.