UK retail footfall in April experienced a 0.8% drop, down from the 0.2% rise experienced in March, according to the British Retail Consortium – BRC – Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor for April 2015.
While footfall in out-of-town locations actually saw a slight 0.5% increase, high street and shopping centre footfall dropped by 0.1% and 3% respectively. East of England, Northern Ireland, Greater London and Scotland all reported positive footfall growth above the UK average.
The national town centre vacancy rate dropped to 10.2% last month, from 10.4% reported in January. The vacancy rate improved in six out of the 10 areas across the UK.
“For everyone looking to secure a sustainable future for our high streets and town centres, the priority must be to drive shop vacancies down in order to see shopper numbers rise,” said BRC director general Helen Dickinson, pictured. “A good first step would be securing the reform of business rates and thereby removing one of the most significant barriers to re-opening abandoned shops.”