OXFORD shops are sceptical that today will be the busiest shopping day of the year.

December 23 is being touted as being the best day for business, but last Saturday was the peak for Christmas shopping in Oxford.

Graham Jones, of Oxford High Street Business Association, said shoppers had been out in force on Saturday, and the city centre continued to be packed since then.

“It’s been busy on weekdays, but we won’t know until the figures come through after Christmas whether it has made up for the late start. Once the schools shut a lot of people have been taking days off work to go shopping. This week it’s been very hectic.”

Jonathan Pearson, managing director of Boswells department store in Broad Street, said: “I suspect the busiest day will have been last Saturday.

“But we are in striking distance of matching last Christmas and if we do have a last-minute rush, then we will beat it hands down.”

Miranda Markham, spokesman for outlet shopping centre Bicester Village, said trading was now quiet, with most shoppers heading for the high street rather than out-of-town centres.

She added: “We would expect to be extremely busy on Boxing Day and through the New Year period.”

In past years, national figures have shown the majority of consumers pouring into the shops in the final days before Christmas are men, who typically leave their gift-buying until the last minute.