Rise in number of shoppers visiting Walsall's Old Square Shopping Centre

Footfall has gone up from 40,775 visitors in the first week of August last year to 47,345 for the same period this year.

Broken down, it equates to an increase of 20 per cent during the working week and up to 25 per cent on Sundays.

The figures were boosted by the opening of Primark on August 6, which saw hundreds of people queuing to be one of the first through its doors.

Year-on-year figures for weeks to the end of September also show substantial growth in footfall for the area, council bosses have said. Councillor Adrian Andrew, portfolio holder for economy and environment, said: "The results are great for traders and shopkeepers and show it was the right thing for the council to do to step in and build the new development to deliver Primark and soon Co-op, despite the opposition from some.

"I am delighted that along with other areas of the town, the Old Square is seeing an increase in footfall."

He added: "But we do look forward to the owners working with the council to deliver the next phases of improvements in the Old Square – especially

to support Debenhams."

A report on the Old Square redevelopment project was presented to Walsall Council's audit committee to showcase the success of the scheme.

Chair of the audit committee, Fred Bell, said: "I think it is an excellent result, which reflects extremely well on the project team and on the partners which have supported it."

He added: "We have already seen a significant increase in footfall in that part of the town and I look forward to it increasing in the future.

"In addition, the increase in the number of jobs that was forecasted has been exceeded which is excellent news for those looking for employment."