High streets saw strong performance throughout many areas of the UK during the bank holiday weekend, data from MRI Software has revealed.

According to the software company, high streets recorded 21 per cent growth on Sunday 24 May.

Additionally, coastal towns saw a 48.7 per cent week-on-week footfall increase. 

MRI Software retail analyst Jenni Matthews said: “As temperatures soared to 34oC across many parts of the UK over the Bank Holiday weekend, it was evident that Brits flocked to the coast as footfall in coastal towns rose 48.7% week-on-week and 21.5% year-on-year on Sunday.

“This momentum continued into Monday with visits continuing to rise 39.8% week on week and 24.8% year on year.”

She added: “Overall, high streets emerged as the clear winners over the weekend with visits reaching double-digit growth on Sunday (+21%) which could be reflective of the many events taking place in towns and cities across the UK coinciding with the start of the school half-term holiday and the long weekend.”

The figures come after UK high street retailers recently suffered their weakest April sales performance in a decade, according to the High Street Sales Tracker from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.

Total like-for-like sales across discretionary categories fell 1.6 per cent in April compared with the same month last year, as shoppers continued to rein in discretionary spending.

The decline marked the worst April performance since 2016, excluding the Covid-19 pandemic when stores were closed.

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