Riots cause 4.8% decline in footfall on UK high streets as shoppers avoid areas amid looting fears

Shopper numbers on UK high streets fell by 4.8% between Sunday and Wednesday, as recent riots across England and Belfast deterred shoppers, leading to widespread vandalism and looting.

The fall, reported by property software company MRI Software, significantly outpaces the 2.7% fall seen across all UK retail destinations, including out-of-town shopping centres and malls.

The impact was most severe on Wednesday, when footfall on high streets fell by 7.5% as fears of renewed rioting and counter-protests kept shoppers away. The north of England and Yorkshire bore the brunt of the disruption, with footfall down a staggering 12.9% compared with the previous week. The West Midlands also saw a huge 10.6% drop.

The unrest has prompted many shops and businesses to close or close early, particularly on Wednesday when police warned of potential violence from more than 100 far-right-led demonstrations across England. However, today saw thousands of counter-protesters take to the streets in cities including Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Brighton and London, aiming to protect their communities.

The fall in visitor numbers comes at a time when UK high streets typically see a surge in visitors, as school holidays begin and families head out on day trips. The latest decline is in stark contrast to a strong start to the summer, with retail, leisure and hospitality sectors seeing a boost thanks to events such as Euro 2024, Taylor Swift’s tour and the Paris Olympics, which are due to conclude on Sunday.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) held an urgent meeting on Wednesday with around 190 representatives from across retailers, including convenience stores, high street chains and takeaway outlets, to address the safety of store staff amid ongoing unrest. Retailers are monitoring the situation closely and may choose to close some stores early if necessary.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Business Confederation, expressed concern for the safety of retail workers, saying: “Many retail workers have been travelling to work fearing that their shops and safety will be at risk due to the looting and vandalism that has spread across the country.” She urged authorities to bring “the full force of the law” against those responsible for criminal destruction and theft targeting retailers.

Recent unrest has seen supermarkets, shoe stores and other retailers looted. In response, the Association of British Insurers has assured affected businesses that insurers are ready to help as quickly as possible during these difficult times.