Claim over footfall rise at Shrewsbury shopping centres questioned
Shropshire Council's claim that footfall in its Shrewsbury shopping centres is up has been questioned by the leader of the authority's Labour group.
It said the opening of budget fashion retailer Primark a little under 18 months ago saw a spike in footfall and, as a result, current footfall was slightly down on this time last year.
A council spokesman said the increase in footfall on two years ago, prior to Primark opening, demonstrated the positive impact of fashion retailer's arrival.
"Current footfall in the Darwin and Pride Hill centres is in line with expectations given the current retail trading conditions, and the centres appear to be doing much better than many other towns and cities," he said.
The council bought the shopping centres in an off-shore deal costing £51 million earlier this year.
But Councillor Alan Moseley, leader of the authority's Labour group said: "The footfall statistics are a worrying sign not just of changes in the retail market but also of the impact the chaos of the Pride Hill works have had on visitors and the town's longer term reputation."
He added: "Taking on the shopping centres is very high risk, a decision taken too quickly, in secret and a potential example of 'fools rushing in'.
“It’s likely that the council paid too much in a declining market with falling investment levels. The centres are outdated with further massive investment required but no rigorous business plan yet forthcoming.
"Expert analysis shows that rental values are now falling, while vacancy rates are at record highs. At the same time returns on such investments are lower and certainly less than was being projected by the council.
"However, the deal has been struck and we will seek to protect and advance the interests of Shropshire residents by rigorously scrutinising all proposals as they are made known.
"In doing so we will support sensible and sustainable plans which support economic development and regeneration while safeguarding and advancing all aspects of our wonderful town.”
Nationally, footfall in shopping centres is falling, according to the British Retail Consortium.
But high street footfall increased marginally in July by 0.3 per cent as consumers enjoyed the hot weather.
The result saw shopping centre footfall hardest hit, declining 3.4 per cent.
