// Footfall across the UK set to rise 47.9% when non-essential retail reopens in England from April 12, according to Springboard
// Year-on-year, footfall that week expected to skyrocket by 128.5% – but it will still be 61.8% below the 2019 level
// High streets will experience the largest rise in footfall with an increase of 59% week-on-week
Overall UK footfall is forecast to rise by almost 50 per cent when non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality can finally exit lockdown and reopen from April 12 in England.
With England being home to around 84 per cent of the total UK population, experts at insights firm Springboard believe UK-wide footfall figures will jump by 47.9 per cent week-on-week when lockdown ends there.
On a year-on-year comparison, footfall in that week is expected to skyrocket by 128.5 per cent – but it will still be 61.8 per cent below the 2019 level.
READ MORE:
- Scotland to ease lockdown for non-essential retailers from April 26
- Government confirms: Non-essential retailers in England can reopen April 12
- Wales lockdown to remain for at least another 3 weeks
Springboard’s forecast comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that non-essential retail, close-contact services and outdoor hospitality across England will be allowed to reopen from April 12.
A day later, Scotland revealed plans to open those similar similar services from April 26.
Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to confirm when non-essential retail can reopen in their countries when they reveal their respective lockdown exit roadmap plans soon.
According to Springboard, high streets in England will experience the largest rise in footfall with an increase of 59 per cent week-on-week in the seven days starting April 11.
Shopping centre footfall is expected to increase 46 per cent that same week, while retail parks footfall will grow 26 per cent.
“As we approach the 12-month mark since the start of the pandemic in the UK, lockdown fatigue is at its height and the increases in footfall over the last five weeks have indicated the pent up demand for a return to normality,” Springboard insights director Diane Wehrle said.
“We know from when non-essential retail reopened at the end of Lockdowns 1 in June and 2 in December that footfall will rise sharply and we anticipate this will be more prominent than ever before with a rise of up to 47.9 per cent.
“By mid-April, consumers will be looking for sensory and social retail experiences, reconnecting with their favourite brands and purchasing new wardrobes for a summer of social events.
“We are anticipating a strong initial uplift in April that will continue to rise over the summer months as the economy reopens in the UK.”
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