South West shops still significantly quieter than pre-pandemic
New research has been unveiled by the British Retail Consortium
Last updated 4th Jun 2021
It's been revealed that our region's high streets are still significantly quieter than before the Coronavirus crisis, despite the easing of some COVID-19 restrictions.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has released new data, analysing footfall at shops across the South West.
The trade association uses what it calls a "Sensormatic IQ Footfall Monitor" to collect the figures.
According to the BRC, footfall at South West stores in May 2021 was 24.4% below that for the same month two years ago. This difference was even greater in Bristol.
At 37.5%, London's footfall fell the most of all the major regions across the country.
The capital, like many other areas nationwide, has lots of vacant store premises - which could be deterring consumers.
ENTICE CUSTOMERS BACK TO SHOPPING
Despite this, the BRC claims that average footfall at UK shops in May 2021 was 12.3% above the corresponding figure for the previous month.
The Consortium believes that the easing of some lockdown measures has played a role in this recent upward trajectory.
Our reporter Matt Hutchinson was in Swindon town centre when non-essential shops re-opened for the first time in 2021:
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of British Retail Consortium, said:
“May saw footfall levels improve across the UK’s high streets, retail parks and shopping centres. This was in part due to the further easing of COVID restrictions, including the reopening of indoor hospitality, which enticed consumers back to shopping locations."
"The successful vaccination roll-out has also boosted consumer confidence and contributed to the improvement in footfall."
"However, restrictions on travel have denied many businesses, particularly those in our larger town and city centres, of vital overseas tourist spending,"
The BRC also claims that UK retailers have amassed a collective £2.9 billion in unpaid rent debts, largely built-up during the pandemic.
Helen Dickinson from the British Retail Consortium, added:
"The Government should ringfence these lockdown rent debts to provide the breathing space for footfall and cash flows to recover, and enable landlords and tenants to work on equitable and long-term solutions for the future and avert terminal decline in many communities,"