// Footfall drops according to figures from Springboard
// Visits to high streets around the UK on Thursday were down 2.7%
New research has seen visits to high streets and shopping centres decline ahead of the biggest shopping weekend of the calendar.
Central London footfall dropped 20% on Thursday prompting forecasts of a “muted” end to a turbulent year, according to Springboard.
Visits to high streets around the UK on Thursday were down 2.7% on the previous week’s figure, while visits to shopping centres had fallen by 2.6%.
READ MORE: Consumer confidence rocked by Omicron variant
Retail parks had recorded a 3.8% increase in footfall.
In London, where Omicron cases have surged, Springboard recorded a 21.3% drop in footfall to central districts.
The New West End Company, which represents retailers and business around Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, said footfall there was down by 7% year-on-year on Thursday, and 32% below the same day in 2019.
“With rising Covid cases dampening consumer confidence and a planned Tube strike looming on Saturday, we’re anticipating a muted final weekend of Christmas trading at a time when West End businesses should be enjoying a much needed boost,” New West End Company chief executive, Jace Tyrrell said.
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