SHOPPING centres were busy despite terrible weather as shoppers tried to snap up last-minute presents.
People poured into Portsmouth’s Commercial Road during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.
Rain failed to put off crowds of people on what was being dubbed ‘Panic Saturday’.
There was a queue of excited children waiting with their parents to meet Father Christmas in Cascades Shopping Centre in Commercial Road in Portsmouth.
Anita Hunt, 53, from Leigh Park said: ‘It’s better than I expected. We are finishing off the last few bits. I’ve bought my granddaughter down to see Santa.’
Also in the queue was Peter Harper, 44, from Milton, with his seven-year-old daughter Madison. He said: ‘I’m a man, I hate shopping anyway. We are here for my daughter today.
‘It’s manic but it could be worse. I’m looking forward to Christmas with the children.’
Claire Beaumont, 39, from Southsea, added: ‘It’s been stressful and busy. But I’ve nearly finished, I’m just doing the last bits and bobs.
‘It’s been quite hectic and there has been lots of queuing.’
There were also a large number of shoppers heading down to Gunwharf Quays, and a spokesman for Fareham Shopping Centre said: ‘It’s too early to see sales figures but it does feel like a busy weekend and it’s been the culmination of a busy December.’
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