A record 3.8m people passed through the doors of the Whitgift centre in December, scotching fears internet shopping and snow would lead to shoppers to stay away over Christmas.

Footfall figures have also grown through January, with Whitgift centre director Andrew Bauer claiming “lapsed shoppers” making a rare trip to Croydon amid the snow travel chaos had been persuaded to return following the experience.

Mr Bauer said: “The snow was a double-edged sword in that it did prevent some people from getting through to us, but conversely there were elements of the population that normally go to the West End and maybe Bluewater who, with road and rail being what they were, decided to shop more locally this year. I think they were surprised to find if they hadn’t been here for many years that Croydon and the Whitgift in particular now meet all their needs under one roof.

“Also snow stopped the delivery capability of the internet, and showed that there’s a chink in its armour.”

Hard working centre staff also managed to raise more than £20,000 for the Royal Marsden during the annual present-wrapping marathon in December, an 83 per cent increase on the 2008 total.

Denise Clarke from charity It’s A Wrap said: “The results far exceeded our expectations.”