They will now be able to start their post-Christmas sales earlier and cash in on shoppers eager to root out bargains.

Centre manager Danny Pickard said the decision was made because Boxing Day fell during the week, on a Tuesday, this year and because 2006 had been difficult for the retail sector nationally.

He said: “Having spoken to a lot of retailers, not just in Stafford but also centre managers throughout the UK, it has been predicted to be one of the biggest retail days of the year.

“Stafford has done well this year but, nationally, it has been quite difficult for the retail sector and a lot of big companies have turned in poor performances, made large losses or even gone to the wall.

“So it was felt that opening the centre on Boxing Day would give retailers an opportunity to capitalise on what is expected to be a busy shopping day.

“Also, the fact that it falls part way through the week means people psychologically are more likely to go out shopping, rather than at a weekend when they are more likely to just be relaxing and chilling out.

“The Christmas period is the key time of the year for retailers, and can sometimes make or break a business.

“If this Boxing Day proves successful, it is something we may do again in following years.”

Because of European working directives, no-one can be forced to work on Boxing Day so it is up to individual shops to decide if they will open.

Mr Pickard said a “significant number” of shops in the precinct would be open.

Some store managers in the Guildhall Shopping Centre, including those at Top Shop and HMV, have been asking for a number of years to be allowed to open on Boxing Day, when most shops traditionally start their post-Christmas sales.

HMV store manager Phil Halliday said today he welcomed the news. “We want to be able to open and serve our customers whenever they want to go out shopping,” he said. “We are here to cater for their needs and desires so, if people want to shop on Boxing Day, we’re happy to serve.”

A number of other shops in Stafford town centre usually open on Boxing Day, including WH Smith which has traditionally found it to be a very busy day.

Mr Pickard said town centre bosses were waiting to hear which other shops planned to open that day.