What: Lifting off Covid-19 pandemic-related restrictions has concrete and immediate effects on footfall and retail.

Why it is important: The observed pattern is the same in most of the countries where the Covid-19 restrictions have been the most complete.

The British government has decided to lift all restrictions related to Covid-19, and this move has concrete effects on the business. In the first full week after the rules were loosened, footfall reached 79% of prepandemic levels in the West End part of London.

From 27 January to 2 February, daily footfall was up +10% week on week and morning commuter footfall was up +9% on average.

This is also a phenomenon that has been observed in other countries where the Covid restrictions are totally lifted, such as Denmark.

London: West End footfall rises again