Recent riots across England and Belfast have led to a significant decline in footfall on UK high streets.
- Footfall on high streets has dropped by 4.8% between Sunday and Wednesday.
- The decline outpaces the average drop of 2.7% across all retail destinations.
- Northern England and Yorkshire have been particularly affected, with a 12.9% decrease.
- The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has convened an urgent meeting to address the safety of retail workers.
Recent riots across England and Belfast have led to a significant decline in footfall on UK high streets. According to real estate software firm MRI Software, footfall dropped by an average of 4.8% between Sunday and Wednesday. This decline significantly outpaces the 2.7% drop observed across all UK retail destinations, including shopping centres and out-of-town retail parks.
The most severe impact was felt on Wednesday, when footfall on high streets plummeted by 7.5%. This sharp decrease was primarily driven by fears of renewed rioting and counter-protests, which kept shoppers at bay. Northern England and Yorkshire bore the brunt of the disruption, experiencing a striking 12.9% decline compared to the previous week. The West Midlands also saw a notable decrease, with footfall down by 10.6%.
The unrest has led many shops and businesses to board up their premises or close early, especially on Wednesday. Police warnings of potential violence from over 100 far-right-led rallies planned across England exacerbated these actions. However, the day also saw thousands of counter-protesters taking to the streets in cities such as Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton, and London, aiming to protect their communities.
This slump in footfall is particularly concerning as it comes during a period when UK high streets typically see an increase in visitors due to the start of the school summer holidays. The recent decline contrasts sharply with the strong start to the summer, when sectors like retail, leisure, and hospitality enjoyed a boost from events such as the Euro 2024 football tournament, Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, and the upcoming conclusion of the Paris Olympic Games.
In response to the unrest, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) convened an urgent meeting on Wednesday with approximately 190 representatives from various retailers. The focus was on addressing the safety of shop staff amid ongoing violence. Helen Dickinson, the BRC’s chief executive, voiced concern over the safety of retail workers, stating: “Many retail workers have been heading to work fearing their stores and their safety could be compromised by the looting and vandalism that has taken grip in various parts of the country.” Dickinson urged authorities to enforce the “full force of the law” against those responsible for the criminal damage and theft targeting retailers.
The looting has affected supermarkets, shoe shops, and various other retailers. The Association of British Insurers has assured affected businesses that insurers are ready to assist as quickly as possible during this challenging time.
The recent riots have led to a significant decline in footfall on UK high streets, prompting urgent action from retailers and authorities to ensure the safety of staff and businesses.
