Shopping centres are facing a tough time but none more so than Liverpool. Latest figures in the annual Main Area Retail report show last year’s footfall - visitors to the city centre - dropped by an alarming 6.5%. That’s more than twice the national average and higher than the North West average. Figures for the main attraction, Liverpool One, held up with an increase of 0.3% while St. John’s shopping mall actually increased 3.1%.
The stats seem to imply that traditional shopping areas around Church Street and Bold Street are bearing the brunt of the downturn.
But what is very disappointing is that the most successful street event ever seen in the city couldn’t prevent a huge 14.3% footfall in April. Sea Odyssey, a three day festival involving three huge giant figures, attracted massive crowds but the rest of the month was awful. The worst month was November which was 14.6% down on footfall.
On the retail front 60 shops closed whilst 53 opened. In terms of overall businesses 78 opened and 72 closed. Vacancy rates are better than average at 12.9%
However the fall in numbers suggests a corresponding fall in spending. All in all a mixed bag in the report from the Mayor’s office. It says a wet summer, closure of Central station and positioning of footfalll cameras all may have played a part. .
