Students storm Highcross in bid for bargains

Students from across the county packed into the Highcross shopping centre on Tuesday evening to make the most of a number of discount deals.

Many of the centre’s hundred plus stores were offering savings of 20 and 30 per cent among other deals. There were also a number of DJs performing live to entertain the large crowds.

Jordan Kent, a third year Accounting and Business Management student, said: “It was a new experience for me so I was intrigued to see what it had to offer. I was surprised by how busy it was but that just added to the atmosphere, which I enjoyed.

“Maybe if I was to go again I would plan ahead what I wanted to buy. The discounts were a bit hit and miss, with some shops offering good discounts and others offering no better than a normal day. I was very disappointed that some shops, especially Next, were closed.”

Rebecca Robson, Vice President Welfare and Community at De Montfort Students’ Union, said: “I went in my first year [as a student] but didn’t really get anything out of it. I went back this year with a clear idea of what I was going to get.

“I went primarily for the Superdry discount of 20 per cent because they never give a discount – lots of stores were offering more discount than usual but Topshop didn’t take part at all. I didn’t even bother going in – why waste time when I can shop there anytime for the same price?”

Others were also disappointed with some of the discounts on offer. Nick Rees, a first year Media Production student, said: “To summarise my experience in one word is ‘underwhelmed’. The discounts were no bigger than their standard NUS discount so it was a huge waste of time.

“I did buy an Xbox game, which was £44.99. With my ‘discount’, it came to £41.99. I saved a grand total of £3!”

Jonathan Whitney