Retail and hospitality footfall in town nears pre-pandemic

This follows the easing of lockdown restrictions on July 19 – so-called ‘Freedom Day’ – which saw the end of legal limits on social contact across England.

As well as removing mandatory social distancing and mask wearing, although both are still encouraged, nightclubs were allowed to reopen and large music and sports events permitted to take place.

This has seen more people venture into the town centre to enjoy their new-found freedom.

Google uses location data from phones and other personal devices to track trends in people's movement in different parts of their daily lives.

It compares footfall in five areas outside of the home – retail and recreation, supermarkets and pharmacies, parks, public transport and workplaces – to a five week-baseline period recorded before the Covid-19 crisis.

Retail, hospitality and leisure footfall in Warrington nears return to pre-pandemic level

Google data for ‘Freedom Week’ ending July 25 in Warrington shows that activity in retail and recreation establishments, such as restaurants, cafés, shops, libraries and cinemas, was 17 per cent below normal levels – up from 22 per cent below the week before.

In supermarkets and grocery stores, it was seven per cent above usual, demonstrating a rise from three per cent above in the previous week.

Activity was 89 per cent above pre-pandemic measurements in parks and public spaces. This was a rise from 61 per cent above during the previous seven days.

It was 29 per cent below the baseline on public transport, again up from 32 per cent below the week before.

Across England, retail and recreation saw the biggest boost in activity following Freedom Day, up from 10 per cent below pre-pandemic levels in the week to July 18 to five per cent below the following week.

The increase in footfall was welcomed by Stephen Fitzsimons, chief executive of Warrington Chamber of Commerce – a not-for-profit organisation which supports and represents business in the town.

He said: “Warringtonians have once again shown tremendous faith and loyalty in the town’s shops, bars and restaurants by choosing local after July 19.

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“Understandably, visitor numbers are just short of pre-pandemic levels, however with many people having been pinged into isolation and the tail end of Storm Evert, July was still a fairly profitable month for traders.

“With many people choosing to holiday in the UK or enjoying local days out, the ambition in August is that businesses can take full advantage of the captive market and recover some lost ground.

“However, there are serious constraints, with delivery driver shortages having a negative effect on the availability of goods on the shelves.

“This must be addressed immediately by the Government so that the economic recovery does not stall.”

The increase in activity was also welcomed by the British Independent Retailers Association.

Chief executive officer Andrew Goodacre added: “People are still coming to terms with the new guidelines, so any increase in visitors to places where there is retail is good given the tough time businesses have had over the past year.”