Stormy weather last month caused footfall to fall 7.8 per cent, according to the latest Springboard statistics.

The firm’s figures showed that more modest declines in retail parks and shopping centres suggested that the coronavirus outbreak was not a major factor in overall footfall decline.

However, Springboard warned the increased severity of the Covid-19 outbreak in recent weeks meant it is likely to bring down shopping activity in March.

In February, shopping centre footfall was down 2.5 per cent, while retail park footfall declined by just 1.1 per cent, following a stronger performance in January.

Springboard’s insights director Diane Wehrle commented: “The resilience of retail parks and shopping centres demonstrates that coronavirus did not have a noticeable impact on footfall in February – if Covid-19 had been a significant factor then it is likely that all three destination types would have been impacted more equally.

“However, the month ended before the warning of its increased severity in the UK was made and so moving forward it is likely that shopper activity will be stemmed as consumers become more wary about interacting in public spaces.”

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