West End footfall marginally creeps up over Black Friday weekend

Across the West End, footfall was up 11% on Black Friday week, 22-28 November, compared to the week before, though it was only 2% up across Black Friday weekend itself – down by -40% compared to the same weekend in 2019.

The West End's weekly footfall was down -22% compared with 2019 figures, with Christmas shopping and seeking out Black Friday deals in the West End no doubt hampered by Tube strikes, according to the latest update from New West End Company.

Footfall in November as a whole was up 4% month-on-month and down -25% compared with 2019.

Jace Tyrrell, Chief Executive at New West End Company, said: “Despite the hurdles put in front of them, brands across the West End managed to attract even more visitors in the last week, with footfall figures rising slightly. However, considering that we have just had the Black Friday weekend, these are marginal gains.

“The weekend's strike action across the Tube network has clearly left some would-be shoppers at home at a time when high street businesses so desperately need their support. Our hope is that the remaining planned action can be avoided so that high street businesses that are just getting back on their feet don't have to suffer further in what should be their most profitable season.

“Following the government's new guidance in the face of the Omicron variant, we also want to encourage all of our visitors to act responsibly in the district and wear a mask when travelling on public transport and in West End stores. We want customers to be able to enjoy all of the unique West End experiences safely and securely this Christmas.”