Footfall rises in London’s West End as Britons return to office

Stores in London West End must brace themselves for renewed sales as the area has been seeing a rise in the footfalls as more people return to office, says recent data.

According to figures from New West End Company, footfall in London’s West End saw a 12 per cent improvement between the first and last weeks in August compared to 2019. The footfall was also 3 per cent higher than the first week of the month and by 8 per cent than last.

New West End Company is a business partnership of 600 retailers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, galleries and property owners in the London’s West End area, comprising 80 streets, representing 150,000 employees.

The number of people returning to offices is set to rise further as suggested by a consumer survey which found that 91 per cent of respondents said they wished to return to the office in some capacity.

The study also found that the biggest driver for people returning to work was missing the social aspects of working in the office. In addition,  younger people were identified as the most likely to return to the office, with 95 per cent saying they would do so either full or part time.

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of New West End Company, said: “An increasing number of office workers are beginning to return to the West End now that restrictions have been lifted, but we need more businesses to heed the wishes of their employees in order to stimulate the capital’s recovery.

“It is precisely these social outlets – including the West End’s world-famous restaurants and bars – that need custom from returning office workers if they are to survive and subsequently thrive.

“The last 18 months have undoubtedly forever changed the environments in which people work, but more must be done to encourage workers to return in some capacity. Whether it leads to a quick trip to the shops or a long-overdue lunch with colleagues, every returning office worker will play a vital role in the high street and economy’s recovery.”