Visitors are flocking to Plymouth City Centre in the run-up to Christmas,

Visitors are flocking to Plymouth City Centre in the run-up to Christmas, attracted by our new look Christmas Market, increased entertainment programme and new business openings.

Footfall has been steadily rising but last week saw a big surge in numbers and we are outperforming most town and city centres across the UK in terms of footfall growth.

Year to date, footfall in Plymouth City Centre is up 2.5% compared with a UK high street average of 1.5% and a south west average of -2.3%.

But last week, saw a huge year on year rise of 37.7% compared with a UK high street average of -0.9% and south west average of -1.7%

Week on week, the increase in Plymouth City Centre was 19.3% compared with a UK high street average of 12.7% and south west average of 17.8%.

Footfall was up across the whole of the city centre, including the West End.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the City Centre Company, said: “We are heartened by these figures which show our city centre is bucking the trend and that people are coming back in numbers which is good news for our businesses.

“We know it has been challenging during the improvement works but with more welcoming public spaces, new businesses opening and increase in street entertainment, we are now beginning to see the benefits.”