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LONDON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Shopper numbers at British retail
destinations have fallen for a fourth straight week following
tougher government measures to stem a second wave of COVID-19,
market researcher Springboard said on Monday.
Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a tiered
system of restrictions on parts of England, including shutting
pubs in the worst affected areas, to curb an acceleration in
infections.
Springboard said total shopper numbers, or footfall, fell
3.1% in the week to Oct. 17 versus the previous week. It was
down 2.8% on high streets, down 3% in retail parks and down 3.5%
in shopping centres.
“The additional COVID tiered restrictions had an immediate
impact on footfall in retail destinations last week with an
across the board week on week decline," said Springboard
director Diane Wehrle.
Footfall in the north of England and Yorkshire region fell
5%, reflecting the tighter restrictions there.
The year-on-year decline in UK shopper numbers worsened to
32.3%.
About six million people in the United Kingdom face tougher
COVID-19 curbs in the coming days as Wales and Manchester, the
country's third largest city, mull additional restrictions.
(Reporting by James Davey; editing by Michael Holden and Mark
Potter)