A BUSY shopping centre had 80 per cent of its normal footfall on the first day retailers could reopen, bosses have revealed.
Footfall at Lion Walk Shopping Centre in Colchester reached more than 17,000 on Monday, the first day Government lockdown restrictions were relaxed for non-essential traders.
This is about 80 per cent of what bosses would expect on a normal Monday before the pandemic hit.
Colchester town centre as a whole was bustling, with queues forming outside national retailers such as Primark, located in Lion Walk, Fenwick and Sports Direct.
Martin Leatherdale, manager of Lion Walk Shopping Centre, said the reopening had gone far better than expected.
“It was an incredible day far exceeding my expectations,” he said.
“I am sure it was helped by the glorious 23 degree heat, and consumers hunger to return to a new kind of normality, there were lots of full shopping bags flying around.
“Footfall reached well over 17,000 which is 80 per cent of a normal Monday.”
Lion Walk has introduced a host of new safety measures, including one-way directional signage, barriers between lanes of shoppers, queue control measures and hygiene stations, and Mr Leatherdale said customers had taken to the new rules well.
Read more >>> Colchester shops optimistic on recovery after busy first day back
He said: “It was amazing to see the newfound commitment to social distancing yet at the same time feeling a buzz not dissimilar to the excitement of summer holidays or Christmas.
“Given these unprecedented circumstances it felt a great day for retail at Lion Walk – coming back with a safe, sensible, and very loud roar.”
Mark Cory, leader of Colchester Council, praised the conduct of residents and said it boded well for the town’s recovery from the crisis.
He said: “I cycled to the town on Monday and the new social distancing restrictions mean it felt a bit safer than normal. I hope this is a good indication people are going to respect the new rules and do the right thing. It was nice to see people in town supporting local businesses.
“I am still cautious because I am concerned about some of the Government’s plans, but death rates are still going down.”
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