// Retailers in England experience increase in footfall after restaurants, pubs & bars reopened on Saturday
// The number of people visiting high streets after 5pm on Saturday surged by more than a third compared to the previous week
Retailers in towns and cities across England have recorded an increase in footfall on Saturday evening as restaurants, pubs and bars reopened their doors after the easing of lockdown.
The number of people visiting high streets after 5pm on Saturday surged by more than a third compared to the previous week, according to data from Springboard.
However, footfall levels still remained lower than figures from last year at similar locations.
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Across England, the number of people visiting shopping and leisure destinations was about half the level of last year, and in central London, footfall was 75 per cent lower than in 2019.
On the first day since lifting lockdown restrictions for businesses such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars, cinemas and hair salons, footfall increased 9.7 per cent week-on-week by mid-afternoon.
However, after 5pm, footfall jumped 35.8 per cent on last week’s figures, Springboard found.
Visitor numbers were up 26 per cent in Central London and the West End, and were up 29.4 per cent in regional city centres.
“It’s also an encouraging sign for the hospitality industry, which is trading under strict guidelines and having to limit the number of customers it can accommodate,” Springboard insights director Diane Wehrle said.
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