First Easter without social restrictions since 2019 set to boost holiday weekend UK footfall

Footfall over the Easter weekend is predicted to rise by 6.2% compared to the weekend before, with a 13.3% spike on Saturday.

Warm spring weather and no social restrictions since pre-pandemic 2019 will see people venture out in greater numbers, according to retail experts Springboard.

Diane Wehrle, Insights Director at Springboard, said: “Saturday will drive the greatest uplift in footfall from the week before, and we predict it will be +17% in high streets – supported by the forecast warm and sunny weather which will draw people to outdoor destinations.

“Shoppers are also likely to head to retail parks to purchase garden products and food and groceries for home entertaining.

“The forecast rise in footfall over the week will mean that footfall in retail parks will be just -1.4% below the 2019 level and -11.6% in high streets.

“Although footfall in shopping centres is not forecast to increase as much as in high streets, the gap from 2019 will be smaller at -8.4%.”