Shrewsbury shopping centres see increased visitor numbers in December

The Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury

The number of visitors to Shrewsbury’s main shopping centres in December was higher than in December 2017, latest figures show.

From 3 to 31 December 2018 inclusive, footfall in the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside centres was as follows:

• Darwin Centre: 628,208. This is an increase of 5.35% on December 2017.
• Pride Hill & Riverside centres: 406,938. This is an increase of 2.13% on December 2017.

This means that the centres welcomed a combined total of over one million visitors in December 2018.

Kevin Lockwood, Shrewsbury shopping centres manager, said:

“Despite national pressures on retail in the high street and some negativity surrounding new parking charges, our footfall figures for the month of December were higher than for the previous year with over a million customers visiting the centres.

“This is very pleasing as it shows Shrewsbury, including the shopping centres, has a thriving and healthy retail offer with its unique mix of national and independent retailers – there really is something for everyone.

“The recent introduction of a number of new stores, including JD Sports and the pop-up Disney Store, and several independent shops, certainly contributed to the success of the centres last month.”

For more information about Shrewsbury shopping centres, visit www.shrewsbury-shopping.co.uk.

Shropshire Council completed the purchase of Shrewsbury’s three main shopping centres in January 2018.