Doncaster boosted by reopening of indoor hospitality

Shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in Doncaster saw a boost in visitors following the reopening of indoor hospitality in May – but footfall remained below levels before the Covid pandemic.
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There is, however, hope that the final lifting of restrictions this week will give the High Street the "summer boost it needs".

The data comes from Google which uses location data from phones and other personal devices to track trends in people's movement in different parts of their daily lives.

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It compares footfall in areas where there is retail and recreation such as restaurants, cafes and shopping centres to a five week-baseline period recorded before the Covid-19 crisis.

The figures showed, in Doncaster, average activity was 24 per cent below normal levelsThe figures showed, in Doncaster, average activity was 24 per cent below normal levels
The figures showed, in Doncaster, average activity was 24 per cent below normal levels

The figures showed in Doncaster average activity across these areas was 24 per cent below normal levels across the two weekends – May 8-9 and May 15-16 – prior the lifting of restrictions on indoor hospitality on May 17.

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On the Saturday and Sunday of the Spring Bank Holiday on May 31, increased activity meant it soared to three per cent above normal levels.

Then across the final two weekends with data – July 3-4 and July 10-11 – footfall fell to six per cent below pre-pandemic levels.

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Across the UK, average activity in retail and recreation areas increased from 35 per cent below the baseline over the weekends of May 8-9 and May 15-16, to 18 per cent below across July 2-3 and July 12-13.

The weekend of the Spring Bank Holiday saw a peak in visitors with activity just 11 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels.

The figures will have been impacted by the easing of Covid restrictions across England on May 17, which allowed restaurants and pubs to open indoor areas for food and drink.

Cinemas, hotels and children's play areas were also given the go-ahead to reopen, along with indoor sporting and entertainment venues.

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The British Retail Consortium said better weather in June and the success of Euro 2020 had also helped boost trade, with the body reporting a growth in High Street sales between April and June.

The data from Google showed that the busiest weekend for activity in retail and recreation areas in Doncaster since May 8 was May 29-30.

The quietest was May 8-9.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.