IT IS a case of jingle tills in Ipswich as Christmas approaches with more and more shoppers finally splashing their cash.This weekend saw thousands of shoppers hit the streets and reach into their pockets to buy lots of goodies for the festive season, amid the global economic downturn.

IT IS a case of jingle tills in Ipswich as Christmas approaches with more and more shoppers finally splashing their cash.

This weekend saw thousands of shoppers hit the streets and reach into their pockets to buy lots of goodies for the festive season, amid the global economic downturn.

Traders in the town today confirmed that it was a profitable weekend, proving that people were not just browsing and spending their hard earned money to help lift the economy out of its slump.

Neil Roberts, Debenhams store manager in Westgate Street, said: “We have had a great weekend, particularly on men and womenswear sales.

“We have got reductions in the store as we have to keep up with competitors.

“It is hard to compare this year to last year because Christmas Day is on Thursday this year which means people still have a few more days to get to the shops but we have been very busy.”

Kayleigh Smy, a staff member at Memorable Cheeses, in Dial Lane, said: “We have had a very busy weekend. It was not as busy as last year but it was still a really good weekend.”

Michael Pugh, owner of women's clothes shop, Aura, in St Nicholas Street, said: “The weekend beforehand, sales were non-existent but it was good this weekend.

“I can't have sales like the high street shops do because then people would just wait for them. I rely on my customer base that has been coming here for years.

“I've noticed a lot of people have been buying things for themselves this Christmas. It is as if they are treating themselves for once because it is Christmas.

“There is also more cash used than credit.”

However Cyril Webb, who owns gift shop J&C Webb in Orwell Road, Felixstowe with his wife Jean, said the number of customers was the same as usual but they were spending less.

He said: “We have a very loyal customer base from Felixstowe, Ipswich and even as far as Colchester, and we are ticking over but would like to tick a bit faster.

“We had a good Saturday but Sunday was quiet. People are coming in with their lists and thinking more about what they are buying and not adding on all the extra little items they might have done in others years.”

Do you think people are back to normal spending routines? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.