High Streets Hit Hardest by Double-Digit Drop in Footfall

  • Retail footfall declines by 3.5% due to curfew and poor weather
  • High streets see a 39.4% drop compared to last year
  • Coastal towns experience a 11.6% decline in footfall
  • Shopping centres remain relatively flat with a 33.7% drop from last year
  • Out-of-town retail parks show an 11.8% decrease compared to 2019

Retail footfall has declined by 3.5% due to the combination of a 10pm curfew and poor weather conditions, according to retail experts Springboard. High streets have been hit the hardest with a 39.4% drop compared to last year, while shopping centres experienced a 33.7% decline from the previous week. Coastal towns saw a 11.6% decrease in footfall, and out-of-town retail parks showed an 11.8% drop compared to 2019. Diane Wehrle, insight director at Springboard, stated that high streets are feeling the impact of the curfew as they rely heavily on evening economy activity. The gap in footfall activity between last year and this year has widened significantly, particularly in high streets where it is now more than a third lower than 2019 levels.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the decline in retail footfall due to various factors such as rainfall and the 10pm curfew. It cites a source (Springboard) for its data and includes relevant details about the impact on different types of retail destinations. However, it could be improved by providing more context or background information on the 10pm curfew and its implications.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the decline in retail footfall due to both rain and the 10pm curfew, and offers some analysis from an expert source. However, it could benefit from more context or data on how these factors compare to previous years or other potential causes of decline.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Retail sector
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the decline in retail footfall and its impact on high streets, shopping centers, and retail parks due to factors such as weather conditions and government curfew, which can affect the financial performance of these businesses.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the text, but the article discusses a decline in retail footfall due to heavy rainfall and COVID-19 restrictions.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk