Retail activity dips after easing but rises in destination towns

Retail activity declined by almost 2% in the four days following the easing of lockdown restrictions but footfall increased in coastal and historic towns as people took their cue to venture out, a survey showed.

Footfall dropped 1.9% across all destinations between 11 May and 14 May, according to retail research specialist Springboard. High street footfall fell 2% while visits to retail parks dropped 3.2% and shopping centre activity was down 0.5%.

The figures showed retail activity declining despite the prime minister's change of Covid-19 message from "stay at home" to "stay alert". But footfall increased by 6% in coastal towns and 1.2% in historic towns, the survey showed.

The result followed a big increase in retail footfall the previous week which included a warm bank holiday weekend. Coastal and historic towns outstripped the wider market that week too.

Springboard said people loosened their behaviour in the run-up to Boris Johnson's widely trailed announcement, spurred on by warm weather and the VE Day celebrations.

Temperatures dropped in the past few days but are set to warm up again, promising a further increase in footfall, especially in seaside towns and historic places.

Diane Wehrle, Springboard's insights director, said: “With the weather expected to get warmer as we move into late May, we anticipate that footfall will continue to rise, especially in destination towns. Many Brits will choose to take advantage of the loosened government restrictions to enjoy unlimited exercise and head to beauty spots in coastal and historic towns, despite the majority of retail remaining closed this month.”