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UK retail destinations are expected to see footfall rise by 47.9% upon the reopening of non-essential retail and outdoor hospitality in April.
According to the retail analyst Springboard, footfall from the 12 April will be 128.5% higher than it was for the same week in 2020.
High streets and shopping centres will reportedly experience the largest growth, 59% and 46% respectively, whilst retail parks will also see a rise in footfall of over a quarter (26%).
Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard, said: “As we approach the 12-month mark since the start of the pandemic in the UK, lockdown fatigue is at its height and the increases in footfall over the last five weeks have indicated the pent up demand for a return to normality.
“We know from when non-essential retail reopened at the end of Lockdowns 1 in June and 2 in December that footfall will rise sharply and we anticipate this will be more prominent than ever before with a rise of up to +47.9%.”
Despite the sharp increase to footfall, Springboard expects the level upon reopening to be 61.8% below its 2019 level.
However, the group has forecasted continued growth as the government targets a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for all UK adults by 31 July.
Wehrle added: “We are anticipating a strong initial uplift in April that will continue to rise over the summer months as the economy reopens in the UK.”
