Despite the ongoing challenges faced by city centers in the UK due to low footfall, there seems to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Recent data from New West End Company and Springboard has shown a slight increase in footfall across all retail destinations in the UK, with high streets experiencing a notable uplift of 2.6%. This increase can be attributed to the return of children to school and some adults returning to their workplaces in town center areas.
While footfall to retail parks and shopping centers saw a decrease of 0.9% and 2.7% respectively, the increase in office workers returning to their workplaces has been a driving force behind the rise in footfall. Greater London high streets saw a significant increase of 5.3% in visitor traffic during the first week of September, indicating a gradual return to normalcy.
The importance of bringing consumers back to town center workplaces cannot be overstated, as the impact of empty offices and reduced tourist activity has greatly affected footfall in these areas. In Central London, the closure of numerous restaurants and cafes serves as a stark reminder of the severity of the situation.
While the recent uptick in footfall is a positive sign for the retail sector, overall footfall is still down by 25% year-on-year across the country. However, this marks the best performance since the start of the lockdown. The return to workplaces has played a significant role in supporting footfall, particularly on high streets.
Although footfall is still more than 40% lower compared to the previous year, there is hope for further improvement. Central London, while still down by 50.9%, has shown a slight improvement from the drastic declines seen in July and August. Additionally, footfall to regional city centers remains down by 39.5%.
The gradual return of office workers to their workplaces is a positive sign for the UK retail sector, signaling a step towards recovery amid the challenges faced by city centers. It is crucial to focus on strategies that encourage consumers to return to these areas, as this will be key to restoring footfall and revitalizing the retail landscape.
For further information on the impact of COVID-19 on footfall in the UK, you can visit Springboard and New West End Company.
