Latest news with #footfall
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Rochford Council to trial 30-minute free parking scheme
Drivers will be able to park for free for up to 30 minutes in a council's car parks in a move to support local Council in Essex has agreed to try out the free parking scheme at most of its 11 car parks for the next three months "to help boost footfall".The council's leader, Conservative Danielle Belton, said the decision was something requested by business and residents "for a number of years".According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a meeting of the council's economic development, regeneration, and tourism committee heard the trial could cost the authority up to £42,000 for the three month period. Belton said it could also help with parking issues around schools, as parents could use short-term free spaces at drop off and pick up to council documents, the cost of a 30-minute stay in most surface car parks in the district was reduced last year from 70p to 55p in an effort to stimulate activity on the high said: "Ultimately, the council is dedicated to supporting our local businesses and especially the town centres, and it's a documented fact in other towns that short stay parking can help boost footfall. She added the council had built up more money from the car parks than it had spent, meaning it now had reserves to implement the new policy."The end goal is we see a better footfall in the town, which then creates more of a drive for other businesses to consider coming here, if they see we've offerings where people can pop into town, grab a coffee, grab a takeaway, do some errands, whatever it may be."The free parking will not apply to The Approach near Rayleigh Train Station and Hockley Woods Car Park. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Wetherspoon's sales boom as summer drinkers knock back prosecco, whisky and Guinness
JD Wetherspoon's sales are now exceeding volumes before Covid, as Britain's pubs enjoy increased footfall in the summer sunshine. Chairman Tim Martin told investors on Wednesday that sales of New Zealand wine and Italian prosecco have been 'shooting the lights out', while whisky volumes are 'significantly above pre-pandemic levels' as spirits prove increasingly popular. He also cited Guinness as the 'standout performer' in draft volumes, while food sales have been boosted by improved breakfast sales and 'clucking good' demand for chicken. It came as Wetherspoon's reported like-for-like sales growth of 5.1 per cent for the 12 weeks to 20 July, with improved footfall credited to 'favourable weather'. The result chimes with updates from UK stock market listed rivals on Tuesday. Fuller, Smith & Turner posted like-for-like sales growth of 5 per cent for the 16 weeks to 19 July, while Marston's saw revenue growth of 2.9 per cent for the 15 weeks to 12 July. Chairman Tim Martin told investors on Wednesday sales of wine from New Zealand and Prosecco form Italy have been 'shooting the lights out' Improved sales will be welcomed by a pub sector currently struggling against higher costs, largely driven by the introduction of higher employer national insurance contributions and a national living wage hike. Energy bills also remain painfully high for businesses. Martin said Wetherspoon's profits are expected to be in line with market expectations this year, 'notwithstanding the high tax and labour increases for the hospitality industry, which have been widely reported'. Wetherspoon's has opened three pubs and sold nine this so far this year, taking its total estate to 794 sites. It forecasts year-end net debt to hit £720million, with headroom, under existing facilities, of approximately £220 million. JD Wetherspoon shares are up by around 28 per cent since the start of the year. UK lead analyst at Robinhood Dan Lane said: 'The warm weather has clearly drummed up our thirst for prosecco and Guinness, in particular. 'Lifting Wetherspoon's volumes above pre-pandemic levels is an important milestone and it's encouraging to see food items follow the trend too. 'UK consumer confidence is on the up and just hit its highest point since December. If inflation resumes its downward journey after the summer and takes interest rates with it, JDW could get a further demand boost heading into the final stretch of the year. 'The only glaring concern is the debt pile but, for now, the market clearly thinks it's manageable enough to look past. 'JDW's share price performance in 2025 wouldn't look out of place among the Magnificent 7 and, if pub openings, refurbished sites and fresh gardens do the trick and pull us in over the summer, like-for-like sales could get a boost heading into the new trading year.'
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Devon town sees 65% of shops become dog-friendly
A list of dog-friendly businesses on a Devon high street is being compiled in the hope of increasing footfall and boosting of about 50 shops in Crediton's main town shopping area, including cafes, a bookshop, a bakery, a hardware shop and even a butchers, have already signed of Adams Home Hardware David Adams said: "It encourages people to come into the town as they don't have to leave their poor old dog at home, or worse, in the car."The town council was giving out window stickers to shops who signed up to make it clear that dogs were welcome, officials said. Crediton Deputy Mayor Guy Cochran said: "It will improve the economy, it's a given."Manager of the Bookery Carl East said he thought it would help businesses be said: "It's not 100% easy on the high street at the moment, and anything we can do to include all potential customers just raises the tone and makes it a happier place", he businesses that sold food also said they were on Hunt, who works in Oliver's Bakery, said: "I'm very happy with it because our counters are very high, so the dogs aren't actually anywhere near the food."David Adams said he appreciated that not everyone liked dogs but said: "Dog owners can tell if people don't like their dogs, and the vast majority of customers are happy to see dogs in the shop."
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Oasis, Wimbledon and hotter weather help spark rise in footfall
The return of Oasis, Wimbledon and hotter weather have helped drive a pick-up in high street footfalls across the UK. New data showed a surge in footfall across Cardiff in recent days after a boost from Oasis' first gigs since the band reformed took place in the city's Principality Stadium. Weekly footfall data from retail technology firm MRI Software showed that the number of people in Cardiff jumped by 25.1% year-on-year between Thursday July 3 and Sunday July 6. This represented a 10.6% uplift against the previous week. It showed a particularly strong performance on Friday, the opening night of Oasis' tour, when footfall was up 61.9% year-on-year. The retail analysis business said: 'Early data suggests that the Oasis tour is more than just a cultural event, it's a catalyst for Cardiff. 'With the band set to visit major cities throughout the summer, retailers, hospitality, and venues hosting the tour should expect to see similar trends, providing a timely boost to footfall and spending during the crucial summer trading period.' Elsewhere, the research also pointed towards a significant boost from sporting events, with MRI Software highlighting a positive performance linked to the start of Wimbledon. Across the UK, overall footfall across high streets and other retail destinations ticked higher over the week from Sunday to Saturday July 5, as visitor numbers were also buoyed by warmer weather. Retail footfall rose by 1.5% last week in all UK retail destinations compared to the week before, according to the figures, with retail parks performing particularly strongly. Footfall across retail locations peaked on Thursday, while there were marginal dips on Tuesday and Friday. The data also showed that London locations benefited from a rise in footfall compared to the previous week, 'particularly office dense areas within the capital which could indicate the pull of cultural and social events'.
News24
26-06-2025
- Business
- News24
Canal Walk owner Hyprop upbeat even as Edgars, Pick n Pay cut space
Hyprop has reported improved vacancies and a slight rise in footfall. Nadine Hutton/Bloomberg via Getty Images Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once.
