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Calls have been made for Cardiff’s retail sector to capitalise on the success of the Welsh rugby team – after a weekend which saw the city “put on the map”.

Wales’ stunning record-breaking 30-3 victory over England on Saturday saw tens of thousands of people flock to the Welsh capital whether they had a ticket for the big game or not.

Many shopkeepers say they did a roaring trade, especially with a later 5pm kick-off, and now want to see a long-term impact on footfall and sales.

There have even been calls to honour the back-to-back Six Nations Championship-winning team with a parade through the city that would provide another opportunity for people to flock to the city.

David Hughes-Lewis, of the Cardiff Retail Partnership, said he believed the city could benefit from the Six Nations effect.

He said: “You only had to be in Cardiff last Saturday.

“The atmosphere, you could feel it buzzing. It was just jam-packed.

“The hotels are packed, the pubs are packed, the restaurants are packed – it’s just a wonderful atmosphere and it’s great for the city.

“It puts Cardiff on the map every time.”

He added that the team deserved an open-top bus tour on a weekend when youngsters could cheer their rugby heroes on.

Mr Hughes-Lewis added he would endorse the mooted idea for a civic celebration of some description for the rugby team.

“The rugby team deserve everything placed at their feet,” he said.

“It would be nice to have an open-top bus tour on a Saturday afternoon when all the kids are off school and the youngsters can come in and cheer them.

“I’m sure it would be like Swansea City when they won the League Cup the other week.

“I think they could do that in Cardiff – it would be marvellous.”

Independent traders agreed the Six Nations had given traders a welcome boost after a slower-than-usual Christmas.

Steve Barker, who owns the Barker clothes store and Coffee Barker in Cardiff’s Castle Quarter, said: “With Coffee Barker we have some fantastic trade.

“You’re busy all day. You’re guaranteed a very busy Saturday.”

But others said many shoppers stayed away from town when the rugby was on meaning while pubs, hotels and restaurants may do well, retailers suffered.

Ben Downing, of vintage clothing shop Hobo’s, said: “On retail, it’s not fantastic for us.

“The initial matchday response is that we lose trade.”

And butcher Alan Griffiths, chairman of the Cardiff Market Traders’ Association, feared any parade through Cardiff could end up costing rate-payers.

He said: “It’s just I don’t think they should have a celebration at the rate-payers’ expense, which it probably will be, because of extra policing and everything.”

When contacted by WalesOnline the Welsh Government, Cardiff Council and the WRU were tight-lipped on what plans – if any – they had to formally recognise the rugby team.