A town in Somerset is standing out against the national decline in town centre footfall, showcasing impressive growth in visitor numbers.
The latest June 2025 Town Centre Visitor Report from Place Informatics, the UK’s premier expert in visitor behaviour analytics, highlights an overall decrease in footfall across the country last month. However, London and the South West regions defied this trend, reporting year-on-year growth despite the broader UK slowdown.
The South West’s stronger performance is driven by several thriving town centres that offer a vibrant blend of retail, food, leisure, and tourism. Bridgwater is a prime example, recording a remarkable 2.80% year-on-year increase in footfall — the highest in the South West and one of the top gains nationwide. Only Worthing, St Annes, and Watford Junction outside London outpaced this growth.
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A spokesperson from Somerset Council remarked, “This rise in footfall is encouraging, especially as the regional trend has seen a 1.15% decline. Bridgwater benefits from £23.2 million in government funding via the Town Deal, and we are starting to see tangible progress. We are engaged with the community on revitalising the historic Docks to rejuvenate the area. Although these ambitious projects pose challenges, residents and businesses have shown commendable patience.”
The council also highlighted significant investments at the Gravity Enterprise Zone, promising new job opportunities.
One key development is the upcoming Celebration Mile, a safe and attractive walking and cycling route connecting Bridgwater railway station to the Northgate Docks, designed to enhance accessibility for residents and visitors alike.
According to the report, while average UK footfall fell by 0.56% year-on-year in June—down from a 1.79% increase in May—the South West and London remain bright spots. Scotland (-2.51%) and Northern Ireland (-2.94%) experienced the steepest declines, and other regions such as Wales, North East, North West, East Midlands, and Yorkshire & Humber also saw decreases.
Clive Hall, CEO of Place Informatics, commented, “Though UK footfall growth has slowed overall, areas like London and the South West demonstrate that town centres with diverse offerings and good accessibility can maintain strong visitor numbers. These insights are crucial for local authorities and businesses developing strategies to respond effectively to changing retail patterns.”
As town centres gear up for the busy summer months and beyond, Place Informatics continues to support local leaders and businesses by providing data-driven insights aimed at fostering long-term recovery and vibrant community spaces.