Bemused people making their way home from work in the city centre on Thursday evening found themselves in the middle of a snowstorm. Tony McDonough was there.

A strange sight at Liverpool One on Thursday evening – shoppers wrapped up in their winter woolies apparently battling through a snowstorm in September.

A freak weather event, perhaps? Not exactly.

The snow was fake and the shoppers not really spending anything. They were actors being filmed for a Christmas TV commercial for the £1bn retail and leisure development.

The street where the as was being shot was not cordoned off so bemused people making their way home mingled with the film actors, extras and crew.

Every few minutes, the snow machine would billow out white flakes – adding a surreal air to a pleasant and bright autumn evening.

Liverpool One was opened in 2008, creating 5,000 jobs and transforming the city centre economy.

It is home to more than 160 stores, bars and restaurants, a 14- screen cinema, an indoor adventure golf course and a five-acre park.