Business

Belfast is the only UK city to see footfall figures beat pre-pandemic levels in November

Primark's opening in November could have contributed to a boost in Belfast's footfall. Picture Mal McCann.
Primark's opening in November could have contributed to a boost in Belfast's footfall. Picture Mal McCann. Primark's opening in November could have contributed to a boost in Belfast's footfall. Picture Mal McCann.

FOOTFALL figures in Belfast in November increased by 5.7 per cent compared with the same period before the pandemic, making it the only UK city to witness a a positive reading.

That was the biggest takeaway from the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium's data covering the four weeks from 30 October to 26 November 2022.

It also revealed that while overall footfall – that which covers the high street, shopping centres and retail parks here – was down 7 per cent compared with the same period pre pandemic, but it was still notably higher than other parts of the UK which experienced an average decrease of -16 per cent.

Shopping centre footfall here declined by 7.3 per cent compared with pre-pandemic levels but it was still an improvement on October's -15.6 per cent.

Belfast was the best-performing city over the period with footfall up almost 6 per cent on November 2019's reading, comparing favourably to the next best performer, Manchester which experienced a decrease in footfall of -7.6 per cent YoY3.

During the period Belfast city centre welcomed the reopening of Primark's Bank Buildings store after four years of work following a fire which destroyed the building in 2018. Queues formed outside the store for days with many shoppers travelling from other towns and cities to visit the shop.

Womens wear brand Whistles opened its first standalone store in Belfast too in November, while gym wear brand Sweaty Betty set up shop in Victoria Square at the end of October.

David Lonsdale, Northern Ireland Retail Consortium spokesman, said: “Shopper footfall to Northern Ireland’s retail destinations was decidedly more upbeat last month, albeit still down on the same period prior to the pandemic.

"This was the best monthly performance of the calendar year so far, with Northern Ireland faring better than all of the other eleven parts of the UK which were surveyed.

"It’s also incredibly timely given NI’s retailers were hoping for a lift during what is traditionally the second busiest trading month of the year. Many retailers need a good so-called ‘golden quarter’ to help tide them through the traditionally leaner months early in the new year.

“The more buoyant performance was seen across all retail destinations, including shopping centres. However, it was especially marked in Belfast which was the only UK city in the survey to see footfall levels above that experienced during pre-Covid times."

He added: “The trick as ever is for NI retailers to convert this uplift in store visits into actual revenues at the tills. That’s challenging so long as the cost-of-living crunch shows little sign of abating. Government can assist the industry by keeping down the costs under its control, which is why the mooted increase to the business rate in Northern Ireland in the coming year should be ruled out.”