The increased footfall following the reopening of hospitality sector on Saturday is a step in the right direction, the British Independent Retailers Association says.
Early indications suggest that high street footfall increased by an average of 24.9% after pubs, restaurants, cafes and parts of the beauty services sector were allowed to reopen in England.
Research by Springboard – a company that provides data on customer activity in stores – reported that footfall rose sharply after 5pm.
The biggest lifting of restrictions in England since lockdown began in March had earned the nickname ‘Super Saturday’. But Bira’s CEO, Andrew Goodacre, said: “This footfall rise is good news but there is still a long way to go.”
Bira is calling for financial stimulus such as a reduction in VAT to help boost the economy post-lock.
