Retailers at Brent Cross shopping centre are readying themselves for an onslaught of more than 100,000 shoppers on Boxing Day.

Tom Nathan, the centre's commercial director, said the last shopping week before December 25 saw visitor figures to Brent Cross rise significantly to around 75,000 over the weekend between a two and three per cent increase on last year. But he said the centre really came into its own after Christmas.

"Our busiest days are after Christmas," he said. "I expect in excess of 100,000 people to come here in a single day, and this year we are preparing for even more people than the year before. Last year we had 1,500 to 2,000 people waiting at 6am for the shops to be open. It's like a sport, it's competitive, and people want to get here first."

Reports of internet shopping taking over do not phase Mr Nathan. "There is no doubt that it has got its place, but the internet takes up about one per cent of total shopping, and nothing can take the place of actual shops and being able to compare things in one place," he said.

Most stores will be open between 10am and 6pm, and the larger ones between 11am and 5pm. The day after, shops open between 9am and 8pm.