In 2018 the UK national average footfall change was -2.5%, increasing from -1.1% in 2017. In Lancaster, 2018 showed an annual footfall change of -1.9%, showing that Lancaster performed better than the UK average. This is also an improvement from Lancaster’s annual footfall decrease of -3% in 2017, showing that Lancaster’s footfall is defying national trends to remain strong year on year.
Some of the footfall highlights over the festive period included Christmas Eve, which showed a +40.7% increase in footfall compared to 2017 as well as New Year’s Day footfall, which continued to show growth for the third year in a row; this year showing a +22.2% increase in footfall impressions. 2018 also saw the most successful Lancaster BID Christmas Lights Switch On event, which was +2.3% busier than the switch on event in 2017 and saw a +24% increase in footfall for the lights being switched on and headline act, as well as some businesses reporting being up to +10% up on sales and +8% on footfall. 2018 also saw the most successful Light Up Lancaster event on our footfall records, showing a +21% increase in footfall impressions.
Part of the reason for these improvements in footfall impressions is the increase in evening and night time footfall. In 2018, Evening (6pm-9pm) and Night Time (9pm-7am) footfall showed an impressive +0.7% annual increase, showing the positive growth in this sector of business in Lancaster.
We welcomed lots of new businesses to the city centre in 2018 including Kaspas, Dam Good Coffee, Defying Dementia, Pouts & Crowns, The Fragrance Shop, The Herbarium, Antalya Barbers, Patisserie Valerie, Bowtique, Journey South, Indian Deli, Brew, Ministry of Vapes and ALEX to name a few. New Street is also full for the first time in a number of years and both shopping centres welcomed new tenants in 2018, showing the continued confidence in Lancaster city centre, as a place to operate a business.
2018 was a great year for Lancaster. The re-opening of Greyhound Bridge, the inaugural Lancaster Festa Italia and Lancaster’s first ever real ice rink were all highlights. 2019 will undoubtedly be a concern for some businesses, with the unknown impact of Brexit, some key chain stores going into administration and the rise in online sales. But 2019 in Lancaster looks promising. In the first week of the year, footfall impressions have already shown a +5.8% increase. With the development of the Canal Quarter scheme, Lancaster University’s student growth plans and key empty retail units coming back into use, Lancaster looks set to have a prosperous 2019.
