TRADERS in Wellington are upbeat about business with the Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday kick-starting what for many of them will be their busiest period of the year.

They say the town has seemed quiet and that Black Friday last week – the US sales event that UK shops and online retailers have followed – may have meant a slow start to seasonal trade but remain confident.

And almost 20 shops will be opening late midweek or mounting promotions in the run-up to Christmas in a campaign mounted by Wellington Business Association.

Emma Ranson-Bailey, of Snob, in Wellington High Street, said she had been busy as shoppers were keen to get their glad rags for the party season.

She said: “Everyone is looking for sparkly things, everyone’s going out – I can’t get enough of those items. That would suggest to me everyone is looking forward to Christmas and going out and partying.”

She said the town had seemed quiet but she had been to Taunton and Exeter and they had been quiet, too. Mild weather had been a factor in that – a cold snap was needed to make people think it is winter and nearly the festive period “We’re going to have a really good Christmas this year but it’s going to come really late – it’s going to come fast and furious,” she added.

Emma, who also has stores in Tiverton and Budleigh Salterton, said trade over the year was up on 2014 but she was sceptical about Black Friday. “I found a lot of shops don’t bother doing it and in a lot of those that do, it’s not very good,” she said.

Town butcher Tim Potter said he normally has about 600 to 650 orders for Christmas and at the moment he was on 235 – this time last year it was under 200.

He said: “The town is a little bit quiet but it’s the lull before the storm for me. We have a phenomenal Christmas trade, we get people from Exeter, Taunton and Bridgwater – it’s surprising how far they travel.”

Tim said he sells lots of local produce – turkey, geese, duck, beef and lamb – and that turkey crowns were particularly popular this year, as there is no waste.

Sally Hooper, who sells branded clothing at Mad Dog in South Street, had her shop decorated in the first week of November but felt footfall in the town could have been higher.

She also said the Christmas lights switch-on should have been a week earlier as there are only three Saturdays to trade in December before Christmas.

She told the WWN last week: “I think a lot of people are waiting for Black Friday – everyone thinks they are going to get 50 per cent off – plus they’re all getting paid then, as well. Last year it really kicked in when Black Friday was over.”

Her store is open the two Sundays before Christmas and until 7pm on Wednesdays.

Steve Grabham, director at Willowbrook Nurseries, said it had its Christmas trees delivered last Wednesday and expected to sell more than previously.

The garden centre will also be selling other seasonal items like mistletoe and holly wreaths, as well as house plants, lights, gifts and seasonal clothing.

Speaking last week, he said: “I think it really kicks off this weekend. When we get into December, everyone realises Christmas is not far away.”