Bumper sales for town traders

Many of the town’s leading stores, as well as smaller shopkeepers, felt that the Christmas just past was their best ever.

Mr Jack Corkin was convinced: “It was the best Christmas I ever had. Sales topped everything we ever achieved in the past and that’s not all.

“Usually there’s a last minute rush but this year there was a rush all the time.

“We were quite busy on the Saturday prior to Christmas but we were stretched fully on the four days leading up to December 25. It was quite fantastic.”

Mr R. S. Caruth, manager of the Ulster Bank and chairman of Lurgan Chamber of Trade agreed.

He said sales overall were good and this was brought about by the publicity given to the town’s lights and also the Chamber’s advertisement.

Mr Caruth pointed out that there was ten per cent more money withdrawn from the bank.

People who joined factory savings clubs and Christmas clubs had a lot more to spend and this added considerably to the record spending spree.

About the town’s street lights, he said: “They undoubtedly attracted people to the town.

“I have heard many favourable comments especially about those in the centre of Market Street. Next year and in the future more attention will have to be paid to lower Market Street and Queen Street.”