More shoppers have been hitting the high street in recent months with one Ipswich shopping centre seeing its footfall double from the year before.
Sailmakers Shopping Centre’s analysis has revealed a transformation in its fortunes since it was purchased by new owner, ALB Group, last summer.
More than half a million people visited the shopping centre during December, which represents a 54 per cent increase on the previous year’s figure of 331,692.
Figures for the whole of last year indicate a massive 66 per cent jump in visitor numbers compared with 2021, while the national average was just 30.2 per cent.
This brought an estimated £2.3m to the town's economy.
For the Sailmakers shopping centre, Nottingham property group ALB puts its success down to carrying out renovations to vacant units in the mall and offering lease contracts with more flexible terms to help entice new tenants on board.
A wealth of new businesses have flocked to take up units within the centre, including Harry’s Handcrafted Doughnuts, health and beauty brand Bodycare, health food shop The Vitamin Bar, fashion brand Leading Labels, beauty salon Brows on Fleek and phone retailer Mi Mobile.
Arran Bailey, managing director of ALB Group, said: “The visitor analytics are also extremely encouraging and demonstrate that our approach here is working and has the support of shoppers and businesses alike.
“No doubt Covid and other factors played a major part in the previously declining numbers, but the analysis also shows that we are improving faster than the national average.
“We’ve approached the key challenges faced by the UK’s high streets head on – and it is clearly bearing fruit.”
Sophie Alexander-Parker, Ipswich Central CEO, said: "It is great to see footfall figures up in town centre shopping centres. We also saw a jump in town centre footfall with the half term activities on the Cornhill attracting over 25,000 up 20% compared to the same time last year."
Oliver Marshall, associate director of property agent FHP, which has been jointly marketing the Sailmakers units for ALB, added: “It’s been a real success story since ALB took the helm of Sailmakers.
“The really strong December footfall figures have led to further lettings, and the combination of all these other positive factors has generated a healthy influx of both businesses and consumers.
“It’s great news for Ipswich and shows the rest of the UK what can be achieved with the right approach.”
Sailmakers also launched a new Ipswich-themed mural created by a Birmingham-based artist Joe Miles.
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