Shrewsbury had a record-breaking weekend with footfall counters recording the highest number of visitors in the town centre for five years.
Business leaders have put the increase down to a variety of factors, including excitement around the opening of a number of new businesses and the buzz created by positive national media coverage.
Seb Slater, executive director of Shrewsbury BID, said the footfall figures were very welcome following a tough period for town centre businesses due to flooding and poor weather.
He said: “The combined footfall figure of 56,670 across our two counters in High Street and Pride Hill on Saturday was the highest daily figure since Christmas 2019, before the Covid pandemic in the following March.
“The figure of 20,493 for High Street on Saturday was the highest daily count ever recorded since the cameras were installed in 2015.
“It was great to see the town centre so busy at what is an absolutely vital time for traders, and we would urge people to continue to support their local high street in the run-up to Christmas.
“It’s always difficult to pinpoint the reasons for fluctuations in footfall, but the boost is likely to be down to a combination of factors such as the popular Made in Shropshire Fair taking place in The Square on Saturday, a clutch of new businesses opening their doors in recent weeks, and the fantastic piece in The Telegraph which named Shrewsbury as the best high street in the UK.
“With Park and Ride fares currently reduced to £1 for a return, it’s a great time to come into Shrewsbury to support local businesses and enjoy the wonderful festive atmosphere in the town centre.”
Several new businesses have opened in Shrewsbury over the past few weeks, including Masovia Polish Bakery on Wyle Cop, coffee shop Oath Coffee on Castle Street, shops The 12th Man and Artisan Lab in The Parade, and new restaurant The Elephant Underground just off Mardol.
Pollyanna Williams, of Snoop gift and lifestyle store on Wyle Cop, said Saturday had been her busiest ever day since opening.
She said: “The continued support from people on the run up to our second Christmas on Wyle Cop has been so wonderful – last weekend we crowned Saturday our best-ever day for sales since opening in 2023.
“Town was bustling all day, it was so lovely to see it booming! Shopping independently seems to be on the forefront of many people’s minds this winter and we’re so thankful to all our customers for keeping the streets of Shrewsbury alive.”
