Fed-up Britons returning to shops despite lockdown and 'Beast from the East'

Published
0

The number of people heading out to shops across Britain increased by 1.5 per cent last week from the previous week, a fourth straight week of rises, indicating that Britons are increasingly tiring of lockdown, Reuters has reported, quoting industry data.

Market researcher Springboard said that while footfall in high streets declined by 1.7pc in the week to February 13 versus the previous week, there were rises of 3.9pc in shopping centres and 6.1pc in retail parks.

"Despite Beast from the East 2 hitting virtually all of the UK at some point last week, footfall across retail destinations continued to rise from the week before,” said Springboard director Diane Wehrle, referring to bitterly cold and snowy weather.

Opinion

Editorial

Yemen offensive
Updated 04 Oct, 2026

Yemen offensive

The best option, therefore, is for Muslim and Arab states to help restore the Saudi-Houthi ceasefire.
Growth transition
04 Oct, 2026

Growth transition

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent call to move from stabilisation to growth, job creation and export ...
Protection at risk
04 Oct, 2026

Protection at risk

THE recent warning from UNHCR should alarm donor governments. Nearly 8.3m refugees and other forcibly displaced...
Talks, at last
Updated 03 Oct, 2026

Talks, at last

The government’s constant threats to suspend KP’s elected dispensation over a political protest have escalated hostilities considerably. In that context, both sides did well to start talking.
IWT’s future
Updated 03 Oct, 2026

IWT’s future

TOGETHER with the Kashmir dispute, India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has become the biggest...
Pained minds
03 Oct, 2026

Pained minds

IN Pakistan, mental healthcare is wedged between two extremes — a luxury or a stigma. Estimates cited by the...