Shrewsbury shopping centres see December visitor numbers rise
The number of visitors to Shrewsbury’s main shopping centres last month was higher than in December 2017, latest figures show.
From December 3 to 31, footfall in the Darwin Shopping Centre Centre rose 5.35 per cent to 628,208, while the Pride Hill and Riverside centres saw an increase in 2.13 per cent to 406,938.
It comes following a difficult year for many retailers who have been hit by rising costs, a fall in consumer confidence and online shopping.
Kevin Lockwood, Shrewsbury shopping centres manager, said: “Despite national pressures on retail in the high street and some negativity surrounding new parking charges, our footfall figures for the month of December were higher than for the previous year, with over a million customers visiting the centres.
“This is very pleasing as it shows Shrewsbury, including the shopping centres, has a thriving and healthy retail offer with its unique mix of national and independent retailers – there really is something for everyone.
“The recent introduction of a number of new stores, including JD Sports and the pop-up Disney Store, and several independent shops, certainly contributed to the success of the centres last month.”
