Enthusiastic Lincoln shopkeepers are sticking by their promise to continue offering  families their weekly fix of "after hours" retail therapy. 

As 2012 gets underway, store managers for Lincoln's major stores said they remain committed to Thursday Late Night shopping. And their message to businesses which have not yet got on board is - "come and join us!"

Organiser Lincoln BIG said it is fantastic to have the ongoing support of more than 60 major stores which have backed the initiative from the start and which have invested in ensuring that Lincoln is a destination which is among cities determined to stay Alive After Five, despite the current economic downturn. 

But they added that everyone needs to tell their family and friends about Late Night Shopping to make it increasingly successful. 

Lincoln BIG's bumper 2012 events programme reflects the public's support for early evening activity and it includes plans to install a "big screen" on the Cornhill for the duration of the Olympic Games - and Queen of Shops' Mary Portas' view that UK High Streets have a bright future, mean there are lots of good reasons to make the most of Lincoln, particularly on Thursday evenings. 

Ian Garside owns Spinning Wheel in the Upper High Street.

"We have participated in Thursday Late Night shopping since it started. It is a good idea which brings Lincoln into line with other places, but it also needs patience. I think it will take a year to really get going," he said. 

Mr Garside added that there is great atmosphere in Lincoln on Thursday evenings and Spinning Wheel, which is close to restaurants and bars, is visited by both students and other shoppers.

River Island manager David Illingworth said: "Late Night Shopping is a fantastic move and I believe it offers great potential for the city and could help to bring new name retailers in.  

"Some weeks are better than others. I think we need to raise public awareness because some people still do not know about it.  We need to spread the word, which we do do here at the shop."

Mr Illingworth said that Lincoln BIG's plans to erect a "big screen" for the Olympics could help attract more people to enjoy Thursday Late Night Shopping.

Debenhams' store manager Chris Claxton said: "We have always been staunch supporters of Thursday Late Night Shopping, and we absolutely agree that it should continue, but I think that, as a city, we need to look at how we get customers into Lincoln at night. 

"We would like to see more shops getting on board this initiative as well, to help to increase footfall." 

Lincoln BIG chief executive Matt Corrigan said: "Shopping habits are definitely changing and people are increasingly looking to visit their favourite stores, after hours, and then making a night of it by perhaps combing this by enjoying a meal out and a trp to the theatre or cinema. 

"We are keen to work with our retailers and keen to talk to more businesses which may have been thinking of becoming part of our Thursday Late Night Shopping initiative."