Peel Street packed, Tamworth bustling in the lead up to Christmas as businesses enjoy retail rush

Now, with Tamworth bustling in the lead up to Christmas this Saturday, the Coastal Farmhouse Australia owner has been overwhelmed by support from shoppers looking to fill their bags with something new this festive season.

"It's been outstanding, I've had so many people thank me and say they've looking for something like this in Tamworth," she told the Leader.

After years of uncertainty and lockdowns, for some it's the first 'near normal' Christmas trading season in some time, and business owners have been run off their feet.

Ms McCay said foot traffic has really picked up over the last week, with an easing of COVID restrictions also meaning people are less hesitant to step through the doors.

"It's been busy and really grown in the lead up to Christmas," she said.

"People don't feel like they just have to look from the door anymore, so that's certainly helped.

"It was perfect timing to open the store, October through to December have been busy - and to have that last boost with the masks off and to be able to easily come through, I think is certainly helping."

Up the street, Botanique New England have been busy selling handmade festive wreaths, flowers and a variety of gifts from their Peel Street store.

Owner Drue Daly said the decision to relocate from Darling Street to Peel Street six months ago has really paid off for the business.

"The foot traffic is up 80 per cent on what Darling Street was, and people in Darling Street would only come for us, we were a destination shop," she said.

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"Whereas in the main street we're getting all the people that are browsing and especially the people that aren't from Tamworth and don't know about and see us as they come past."

Being their first Christmas season on Tamworth's main street, Ms Daly said they weren't sure what to expect.

"But we've been overwhelmed by the support of the locals and even the regional visitors," she added.

"There's so many people coming in, before that it was a bit slow and I was quite worried, but everyone has come out in the last two weeks.

"It's been a really lovely vibe from everyone coming out locally."

Shop owners have also commented on the number of visitors coming in from Gunnedah and Armidale to do their Christmas shopping, which they say is a pleasant surprise as travel begins to get back to normal levels.

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