Shopping centres double weekend footfall as customers flock back to stores

Last week non-essential shops were allowed to reopen in the latest relaxation of the Government's Covid restrictions.

Queues were seen outside shops in town and city centres, and bosses at shopping centres across the Black Country have welcomed the reopening.

Melvin Glasby, centre manager at the Saddlers Centre, said: “We’ve had a very successful weekend with footfall up more than 120 per cent on the previous weekend.

"It is great to see our regular customers returning and both the centre and the town have a real buzz about them, which is very encouraging.

"We’ve seen a number of deals complete during lockdown that will bring new stores to Saddlers and can only add to the success of the centre as we emerge from lockdown.”

Jackie Clay, centre manager at New Square Shopping Centre, said that footfall was up 150 per cent on the weekend before.

She said: “We’ve had a fantastic weekend with footfall of over 60,000 people across the two days.

"This is up over 150 per cent on the previous weekend when we only had essential stores open. The footfall for the weekend was a 400 per cent increase on last year, but was also 10 per cent up on the same weekend in 2019.

"The gorgeous weather definitely brought people out to enjoy the centre and, from talking to customers, there were many now returning who had not been out enjoying a shopping trip for over a year.

"Despite being busy, everyone was amazing in continuing to follow the rules with mask wearing and social distancing. The atmosphere across the centre was fantastic!”

And in the Mander Centre the new Frasers store opened on April 12, which has been hailed a massive coup.

The multi-level new store is a first for Frasers featuring all of the group’s key facias and housing a curation of new beauty, fashion, lifestyle, kids and home brands, alongside a restaurant.

Richard Scharenguivel, the manager of the Mander Centre, said: “We have been pleased to show off the exciting new Frasers store at the same time as welcoming back our customers to enjoy everything the Mander Centre has to offer.

“We are now fully open for all shops and stores from the big national brands to our significant collection of independents.

“Being able to welcome the first full Frasers store in the UK to the Mander Centre is a massive coup for the city of Wolverhampton. Having global brands the likes of DKNY, Michael Kors, Barbour and Tommy Hilfiger along with luxury designer brands such as Victoria Beckham x Reebok and Adidas by Stella, will be fantastic for the Wolverhampton shopper.

“We are delighted to see our regular shoppers back in the centre, along with many new ones, all of whom are able to shop in an environment that is safe and convenient.”