Torrential rain this morning meant only the hardiest shoppers were out at first light.
With streams of water rushing down King Street, the indoor sanctuary of Kingsgate was the most popular destination for Huddersfield's bargain hunters.
New Street, the Piazza Centre, the Packhorse Centre and King Street were all virtually deserted as the rain hammered down.
Out-of-town shops off Leeds and Bradford roads were busier with the jam-prone Great Northern Retail Park already bustling early doors.
But the notorious queues to get into Next in Kingsgate, which opened at 6am, were no where to be seen by 9am. A small queue did form outside popular jewellery retailer Pandora.
In Huddersfield town centre one shopper said not even the inclement weather could stop her getting 2016’s Christmas cards on the cheap.
“I always buy my Christmas cards every Boxing Day morning for the year ahead,” said Leona Williams from Sheepridge.
“I was out at quarter-to-nine but it wasn’t overly busy.
“The rain doesn’t put me off.
“I wouldn’t go to Leeds or Manchester today but maybe early in the new year.”
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Rebecca Hough from Dalton said she was happy with the bargains she’d found
“It was quite quiet in Next,” she said.
“The weather doesn’t put me off as I needed to come out to get a few things sorted.
“Huddersfield is alright, it’s quiet.
“It’s definitely better this way as I don’t like crowds.”
Mick Kotowski from Fartown had also ventured out early and said he was surprised how quiet it was.
“I’m not bothered by the rain,” he said. “I’d just sit at home otherwise.”
“It’s been good, it’s easier to park!”
Kirklees Council is offering free parking today in an attempt to boost trade with a predicted £3.74billion spent.
Nationwide, experts have predicted 22 million people will hit the shops today searching for discounts.
And many started exceptionally early, eager to grab the best deals.
In central London crowds braved the wind and rain to queue up outside luxury department store Harrods while in Liverpool, the first shoppers arrived for the Next sale at 4.30am with long queues forming by 6am.
