Swindonians have voiced their views on the state of the town centre after the usually-busy Christmas period.

Photos taken by the Adver showed empty streets as many shoppers preferred to pop into retail parks and the Designer Outlet for last-minute presents and Boxing Day bargains.

But several readers reported that other parts of the town centre had been very busy for hours and that traders saw a big boost to their sales during this festive time.

Others lamented the current offering of shops and businesses in the area, and suggested what could be done to improve it.

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Sandra Hunt: “There would be [shops] if the council had spend the money on giving us a town centre with shops to shop in instead of a Bus Boulevard, only my opinion.”

Sue Castle replied: “Although the vast majority of the money for the bus boulevard came from central government, not SBC, I agree money needs investing in the town centre.

“Perhaps, if some of the private landlords that own a lot of the shops and Brunel dropped the rents it might encourage people to set up businesses here and stay.”

Catherine Waterfield said: “There's nothing down that end but pawn shops."

Tommy Brenton said: “Well I was there and it was busy, you’re looking at the bottom of town with a couple........

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