The consumer boom might have cooled but shoppers were estimated to have spent more than £500 million on food, alcohol and DIY over the bank holiday weekend.

The figures from the Centre for Economics and Business Research said the break was good for retailers as people made the most of the last public holiday before Christmas. It was estimated an additional £125 million was spent on alcohol and food and £400 million on home improvements.

Retailers were told to make the most of the weekend because the consumer slowdown would continue into the autumn.