We have been tracking footfall in Northbrook Street since 2014. Last week saw the busiest week since before the pandemic began, with a 52.5% increase in footfall compared to the previous week, and a 196% increase compared to the same week in 2020 when the UK was at the height of the first lockdown.
Our CEO, Melissa Hughes, explains,
Last week was the closest we have been to normal levels of footfall in Newbury town centre for more than 13 months. Visitors were in good spirits, shop workers were delighted to be back, and it was great to see people respecting each other by wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing. There was a real buzz around town and a sense that we are finally emerging, albeit slowly and safely, from one of the most challenging times we've ever faced as a community.
Visitor numbers reached more than 75% of the footfall we saw during the same week in April 2019, which compares positively to the 65% seen on average across UK high streets. It’s the first time the 75% of normal footfall mark has been exceeded since the pandemic began, which suggests that consumer confidence in Newbury is high and there’s a real desire to return to the town centre and support local businesses. Over the coming months, as we move through the next phases of reopening, we expect to see this support continue to grow.
There are more than 25 town centre pubs, restaurants, and cafés open for outdoor service, with a wide variety of food and drink on offer. You can browse the list of venues with opening times here.
