Gloucester Quays outlet centre says its expanded summer events have helped to boost footfall.

The annual food festival in July saw the number of visitors rise by more than 40 per cent compared to the same weekend last year.

Sales were up by 16 per cent with some of the top performers including Ted Baker, Lindt, Asics/Onitsuka Tiger, The North Face and White Stuff.

For the first time, the outlet ran its popular beach themed event throughout the whole summer holidays, with children's football, netball and rugby coaching and appearances from the Gloucester Rugby team.

Matthew Bird, centre manager at Gloucester Quays, said: "Our award-winning events have been voted among the UK's top attractions by Visit England and the Mail on Sunday and increase in numbers every year.

"This year, due to their popularity, we've extended all of our seasonal events to run for longer periods. We're now gearing up for the biggest event of our calendar, our Victorian Christmas Market, which sees the venue transformed with real open-air ice rink and authentic Victorian markets."

Gloucester Quays is attracting more than six million visitors a year.

The Victorian Christmas Market will return from 16 November for an extended period.

New brands to have arrived at Gloucester Quays in the last six months include the most recent signing of Jack Wills and Ted Baker. They join Levi's, Skechers, Original Penguin, Phase Eight, H Samuel, Lindt, plus new restaurants including the award-winning Cote Brasserie.