UK high streets experienced a welcomed lift over the bank holiday weekend as warm weather hit the UK, encouraging shoppers out to spend.
According to retail analysts Springboard, footfall rose by 4.4% compared with the same weekend last year. The results contrasted the decline seen in recent months and comes as expectations for next month hit a 27-year-high according to the CBI.
Diane Wehrle, insights director at Springboard said, “Families were confidently out in force across UK high streets over the weekend, bringing a welcome boost to what has been a difficult start to the year for these destinations.”
A 14% year-on-year increase was seen in coastal and historic towns as consumers opted to stay outdoors. This was preferred over indoor shopping centres and retail parks where according to retail analysts Springboard figures, footfall dropped every day over the weekend. However Southsea and Portsmouth were top towns for growth as well as Rhyl.
“Coastal and historic towns proved popular as the sun shone over the bank holiday, resulting in a decline in shopping centres and interestingly retail parks that to-date have been the leaders” continued Diane Wehrle.
