Shrewsbury shopping centre footfall up on 2019 numbers as lockdown is eased up
On Monday, the first day of the newest lockdown rules, footfall in a main Shropshire shopping centre was up six per cent compared to pre-coronavirus.
On April 12, when non-essential retail and personal care businesses reopened, the number of people visiting Shrewsbury’s Darwin Shopping Centre was up 6 per cent on the equivalent day in 2019, figures from Shropshire Council suggest.
Visitors flocked to Shrewsbury on Monday as non-essential shops and other businesses reopened, and pubs, cafes and restaurants were able to serve people outside. The Darwin Centre was particularly busy with many stores reporting large numbers of customers and excellent sales on the day.
The Easter holidays, warm weather, free parking in Shropshire Council car parks, and social distancing measures in place around the town may also have encouraged people to visit the town as lockdown measures were eased.
Parking is free in most Shropshire Council car parks from 8am to 6pm until April 25, and social distancing measures are in place across the county to help people safely visit Shropshire’s market towns.
New openings
Kevin Lockwood, Shrewsbury shopping centres manager, said: “We were really pleased to welcome back many of our tenants on Monday and to see them open their doors for the first time in a long time. It was great to see so many people visit the Darwin Centre – as well as the town – and to receive positive comments from many of our stores. We also saw two stores – F.Hinds and Portofolio – open for the first time in the Centre.
“The number of visitors being up on the same day two years ago is really positive and very welcome.
“Whilst it’s great to see people back visiting the shopping centres, the health and safety of our tenants and customers will always be our top priority.
“We are continuing with our enhanced cleaning routines, focusing on major touchpoints in communal areas. Stores are also enhancing their own cleaning routines, following Government guidelines.
“The queue guides outside of stores will be in use to manage footfall within the individual units, and we also have recorded messages playing on the centre’s PA systems reminding visitors of safe shopping guidance.”
