Town centre footfall increases as Covid lockdown eases

Shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in the town saw a boost in visitors following the reopening of indoor hospitality in May.

Although footfall remained below levels before the Covid pandemic, new figures have revealed, businesses are looking forward to a summer of recovering revenue lost over the past 18 months.

Statistics from Google use location data from phones and other personal devices to track trends in people's movement in different parts of their daily lives.

This compares footfall in areas where there is retail and recreation such as restaurants, cafes and shopping centres to a five week-baseline period recorded before the Covid-19 crisis.

The figures showed in Warrington, average activity across these areas was 31 per cent below normal levels across the two weekends – May 8 to 9 and May 15 to 16 – prior the lifting of restrictions on indoor hospitality on May 17.

Warrington town centre

On the Saturday and Sunday of the spring bank holiday on May 31, increased activity meant it was only 24 per cent below normal levels.

Google data showed that the busiest weekend for activity in retail and recreation areas in Warrington since May 8 was June 19-20, when levels were 23 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, while the quietest was May 8-9.

Stephen Fitzsimons, chief executive of Warrington Chamber of Commerce – a not-for-profit organisation which supports and represents business in the town – says so-called ‘Freedom Day’ has been a long time coming for many.

He said: “Footfall patterns in the town centre have been understandably subdued as retailers and venues competed against the weather, football and of course, Covid-19.

“While sunshine normally attracts patronage to bars, restaurants and shops, continued restrictions clearly deterred some regular visitors.

“When the Euros commenced, many chose to follow the football at home, purchasing snacks and beverages from the large supermarkets rather than venturing into town.

Warrington town centre

“By contrast, average spend has been the same as it was before the pandemic, according to the Centre for Cities, so fewer visitors were actually spending more money.

“Of course, July 19, unhelpfully labelled ‘Freedom Day’, is the date that all local businesses were looking forward to.

“They now have a summer to focus on recovering the revenue lost over the last 18 months, however patience will be required as the public embraces the new normal with their own interpretation of social distancing.

“This has not been helped with confused messages from central government over important issues such as vaccination ‘passports’ and the ‘pingdemic’.

“Warrington businesses will always find a way, however they must be given absolute clarity to do what they do best.”

Across the UK, average activity in retail and recreation areas increased from 35 per cent below the baseline over the weekends of May 8-9 and May 15-16 to 18 per cent below across July 2-3 and July 12-13.

Warrington town centre

The weekend of the spring bank holiday saw a peak in visitors, with activity just 11 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels.

The figures will have been impacted by the easing of Covid restrictions across England on May 17, which allowed restaurants and pubs to open indoor areas for food and drink.

Cinemas, hotels and children's play areas were also given the go-ahead to reopen, along with indoor sporting and entertainment venues.

The British Retail Consortium said better weather in June and the success of Euro 2020 had also helped boost trade, with the body reporting a growth in High Street sales between April and June.

Meanwhile, Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG, said the reopening of hospitality and leisure sectors had led to a ‘dilution’ in consumer spending, although he said businesses now faced greater competition from online retailers.

He added: "Retailers will be hoping that the feel-good factor from Euro 2020 and lifting of Covid-19 restrictions will give the high street the summer boost it needs.”