The British Retail Consortium emphasizes the urgent need for planning and business rates reform as a solution to declining footfall across the UK.
- In June, UK footfall fell by 2.3% year-on-year, with shopping centers leading the decline at 3.2%.
- High streets experienced a footfall drop of 3.1%, while retail parks saw a smaller decrease of 0.4%.
- All UK nations faced footfall declines except Scotland, with Wales seeing the sharpest drop at 4.1%.
- The BRC advocates for immediate planning reform to facilitate retailer investment and support town and city centers.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has highlighted the critical need for reforms in planning and business rates to address the declining footfall in UK retail locations. Total UK footfall decreased by 2.3% in June compared to the previous year, marking a notable place for concern amongst retailers. Shopping centers were the most affected, with a 3.2% decline, followed closely by high streets at 3.1%. Retail parks, while also experiencing a downturn, recorded a relatively minor decrease of 0.4%.
Across the UK, all nations except Scotland registered a decrease in foot traffic during June. Wales experienced the most significant decline at 4.1%, followed by England at 2.6% and Northern Ireland at 0.6%. This widespread downturn underscores the necessity of strategic interventions to revitalize shopping areas and support economic recovery.
Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the BRC, expressed optimism that upcoming events and favorable weather conditions might improve footfall in the near future. In particular, events such as the Taylor Swift concerts in Edinburgh and Liverpool provided temporary boosts in local foot traffic. Additionally, the prospect of a successful run for England in the European Championships could further invigorate shopper numbers in July.
As a new government takes office, the BRC insists that addressing the challenges faced by local communities should be prioritized within the first 100 days. Planning reform, specifically the adoption of a fast-track planning system that includes automatic approvals in certain scenarios, is considered vital for empowering retailers across the country to invest and expand.
This expedited planning process, alongside a reformed business rates system, is deemed crucial for the revitalization of town and city centers. By easing the regulatory and financial burdens on retailers, these reforms could be instrumental in transforming the current footfall trends, fostering vibrant and prosperous shopping environments.
In summary, immediate planning and business rates reforms are critical to reversing the decline in UK footfall and revitalizing retail centers.
