More than 11,000 students flocked to Highcross Leicester on Thursday, October 13 for the centre's second annual Student Lock In event.

The event, which attracted students from across the county's universities and colleges, was hosted in partnership with the O2 Academy Leicester and Total Students and served to welcome new and existing students to Leicester for the autumn semester. 

Almost 60 retailers and restaurants - as well as Highcross' Cinema de Lux - took part in the two-hour event (between 8.30pm and 10.30pm), which saw sales rocket during the extended opening hours and like-for-like footfall increase by 84%.  

Those visiting on the evening were treated to retailer discounts of up to 50 per cent, prize giveaways, freebies and entertainment.

Abigail White, marketing and events coordinator at Highcross, said: "Leicester has a thriving student economy and we're really pleased to have been able to welcome so many students - both new and old - to the centre to showcase the shopping and leisure experience Highcross has to offer, whilst allowing to bag some bargains at the likes of Topshop, H&M and River Island, too."