Shoppers have returned to Edinburgh city centre since Princes Street was reopened following tram works, new figures suggest.

The latest footfall figures, released by Edinburgh marketing body Dema, showed shopper numbers were back to close to the level of last Christmas.

Major retailers in the area said they had also seen an increase in sales compared to the same period last year.

Kenneth Wardrop of Dema said Princes Street was "absolutely buzzing".

Since the tram works ended in Princes Street on 29 November, the daily average of shoppers was 35,439.

Figures from last year over the same period reached 40,051, however one of the counters on Princes Street was obscured for the first few days of the 2009 data.

There is definitely a different atmosphere in Princes Street
William Knight
House of Fraser

Footfall on Saturday was more than 57,000 in Princes Street - almost 30,000 more people than the average daily footfall figure in the busy shopping street during the tram works.

Mr Wardrop, chief executive of Dema (Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance) said: "Princes Street is absolutely buzzing and back to its best, which is brilliant, especially at this time of year.

He added: "The fact that it's chocked full of atmosphere and people is great news for retailers and the feedback we've had from all stores is very positive with a significant uplift in sales over the last week and a half."

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of Edinburgh's Chamber of Commerce said: "We're confident that the positive story is being shared and the retail figures from recent months tell us that we are turning a corner and that what has been a difficult year is on the cusp of recovery going into the New Year."

'Real buzz'

William Knight, senior sales manager for House of Fraser, said: "There is definitely a different atmosphere in Princes Street.

"Customers are very obviously enjoying the whole experience of coming into town and shopping and that positive change has been reflected in our figures."

Michael Apter, chairman of the West End Association and a director of Studio One and Paper Tiger stores, said: "We have been thrilled to see an increase in both sales and footfall across the West End over the last few weeks and there has been a real buzz about the area."

Alan Tomlinson, deputy store manager for Jenners, said: "We've noticed a massive difference in trade and in footfall over the last couple of weeks.

"Saturday in particular was a fantastic day for us, the busiest so far."

An HMV spokesman, said: "There's been a real surge in recent weeks following improvements to the city centre and, of course, as we head towards Christmas."