Footfall down 73% in London’s West End since easing of lockdown
New figures have revealed that footfall in London’s West End was down 73% year-on-year in the first full month of post-lockdown retail reopenings.
New West End Company, which represents 600 businesses across Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street and Mayfair, said the shopping district has attracted 5.1 million visitors since the 15 June reopening date.
The figures show that although footfall has been rising by 5% in the area since shops reopened, London is faring worse than the rest of the UK. Figures from footfall specialist Springboard reveal that footfall levels in UK high streets were down 57.2% in June compared with the same month last year.
New West End Company said central London and other UK city centres are being held back by restrictions and uncertainty surrounding returning to work and the use of public transport. The organisation is calling for clarity from the Government and said it needs to make consumers feel more confident in the coming weeks to help retail and hospitality businesses to run viably over the summer.
Without Government action, the organisation said the lack of tourists and office workers in the district could lead to a £5 billion loss in sales and put over 50,000 jobs at risk.
Jace Tyrrell, chief executive at New West End Company, said: “The protection of retail and leisure jobs is our utmost priority, and while the Government’s measures take the first step in supporting the West End’s recovery, without consumer confidence to travel and visit; this situation is highly precarious.
“With no international visitors and mixed messaging surrounding the safety of returning to work and using public transport, we urgently seek clarity of Government messaging for our businesses to survive.”
