After a period of decline and stagnation, there are positive signs of recovery for high streets and city centres in the UK. Footfall levels, which measure the number of people visiting these areas, have been on the rise in key destinations. This increase can be attributed to two main factors: the resolution of rail strikes and the return of workers to the office.
According to footfall experts MRI Springboard, UK high street footfall experienced a significant 13% increase compared to the same period in 2022. This growth is three times greater than the increase seen in retail parks and shopping centres. Overall, footfall across all retail destinations in the UK increased by 9.1% year-on-year.
The boost in footfall is particularly noticeable in central London, where the ‘Back to the Office’ benchmark recorded a remarkable 36.4% increase compared to the previous year. This trend extends beyond the capital, as footfall in regional cities, excluding London, rose by 19% annually. However, footfall in areas outside of city centres saw more modest increases, with market towns experiencing a 6.6% rise and historic towns seeing an 8.8% increase.
While these figures paint a positive picture, it is important to note that footfall levels still fall short of pre-pandemic levels. Compared to 2019, footfall in UK retail destinations is still down by 14.5%. Central London, in particular, continues to struggle, with footfall remaining 19.7% below pre-pandemic levels.
The increase in footfall is encouraging for retailers and indicates a gradual recovery for high streets and city centres. As rail strikes subside and office workers return, it is expected that footfall will continue to rise. However, it is important to acknowledge that there is still work to be done to fully restore footfall levels to pre-pandemic norms.
Useful links:
1. Retail Gazette
2. BBC Business
