High street shops hit by biggest ever drop in customers due to coronavirus lockdown

The greatest ever decline in retail footfall has been recorded as shoppers have obeyed the lockdown restrictions, a report reveals today.

But a shift towards local high streets could offer a window of opportunity after lockdown as cautious shoppers feel safer venturing out in their local communities, the study says.

The 80% drop in footfall in April was unprecedented and almost double the drop seen in March.

Retail parks fared best, with a 68% drop, due to having essential food stores. But footfall in high streets declined by 83% and shopping centres by 89%.

Overall footfall strengthened slightly later in the month.

Shops have been closed since lockdown began (PA)

The Springboard Footfall Monitor and Insights study shows that footfall shifted away from large towns and cities to smaller, more local centres.

Data suggests the path of recovery for retail may well be led by smaller high streets which can offer both safety and community benefits.

Safety in larger destinations, such as retail parks and shopping centres, depends on their capability to control shopper numbers.

Tracking the level of occupancy, and being seen to do so, will be key in ensuring retail destinations can deliver environments that returning shoppers will feel comfortable in.

The report said cities worst hit included Manchester and London but high streets that had modest footfall drops included Harold Hill, in East London, Prescot in Merseyside and Kenilworth in Warwickshire.