St Helens shoppers welcomed easing of lockdown 'with spending spree'

As coronavirus restrictions eased many retailers were allowed to open their doors for the first time since early January.

The banking firm Revolut analysed the data of 4,000 of its customers in St Helens between April 12 and 18, comparing it to the average weekly spend in February 2020, before lockdown started.

St Helens shoppers spent 114 per cent more on average last week than normal, according to their data – with T K Maxx the most popular shop.

The first day of trading saw even higher levels of spending, with 290 per cent more splurged than the average Monday in February of last year.

Shoppers on Church Street in St Helens Pic: Bernard Platt

Retail spending increased 92 pere cent across England as a whole, the firms figures show.

Revolut said the data shows there is strong demand right across the country, with many people eager to spend savings built up since non-essential shops closed on January 5.

Spokesman Nicholas Taylor said: "Importantly, spending was up across the whole week – rather than just the first day – suggesting that consumer confidence is resilient.

Barrow Street in St Helens Pic: Bernard Platt

Cinema Bar on Duke Street

"This is great news for the thousands of local pubs, cafes and shops, and the millions of people they employ."

The British Retail Consortium said stores have worked hard to provide customers with a "safe and enjoyable" shopping experience, and it expects footfall to increase as more outlets reopen.

Chief executive Helen Dickinson added: “With case numbers continuing to drop, retailers hope that confidence will return to high streets, shopping centres and retail parks, and encourage UK consumers to release some of the £160 billion saved up during this pandemic.

"By unlocking consumer savings, UK retail has a key role to play in the wider economic recovery.”

With some bars lacking outdoor space not able to serve drinks yet, spending in St Helens pubs was 38 per cent down on February last year.

However, the Revolut data suggests pub-goers spent much more than usual when buying rounds.

The average transaction in pubs in the area was £16.21 last week – up 62 peer cent on the typical spend across an average week before the pandemic, of £10.01.

The High Street in Newton-le-Willows Pic: Bernard Platt

St Helens drinkers spent a similar amount the average round across England last week, of £16.03.

Hospitality data specialists at CGA said operational constraints and the unpredictable British weather mean three in four venues in England are still closed.

Karl Chessell, CGA’s business unit director, added: "While some may open over the next few weeks, we will have to wait another four weeks until it is feasible for many hospitality venues to reopen again.

"Until then, operators deserve support from local authorities to make the most of outdoor trading space – not to mention some sunshine.”

Meanwhile, location data from Google reveals that non-essential retail and recreation venues across Merseyside were much busier last Saturday April 17, than the previous Saturday – though they were still far from reaching pre-pandemic levels.

The British Retail Consortium said it hopes that with Covid-19 cases dropping, shoppers will feel more confident heading out.

Google uses location data from phones and other personal devices to track trends in people's movement in their daily lives.

The figures show average activity in Merseyside's hospitality venues and non-essential shops was 185 per cent lower last Saturday than pre-pandemic levels, recorded during a five-week period early in 2020.

But that was higher than on Saturday April 10, when activity was 306 per cent below normal.

It reflected the picture across the UK, where visits to shops and food establishments were 37% lower than before the pandemic last Saturday.

The previous week's activity was 57 per cent below pre-pandemic levels. The data reflects activity across the whole of the UK, though non-essential shops only re-opened in England and Wales, and hospitality venues only in England, with restrictions.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive at the BRC, said: “While footfall at shopping destinations was significantly up in the first week of reopening, compared to the week prior, it still remains below pre-pandemic levels.

"Monday was by far the best day for retailers in England and Wales, as the novelty of shopping at non-essential stores helped footfall to its highest levels in months."

Pubs, cafes and restaurants in England are currently only allowed to seat customers outdoors, meaning re-opening last Monday was unviable or not possible for many businesses.

The restrictions are due to be reviewed soon and it is hoped that venues will be able to welcome guests indoors from May 17.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "Only when all our pubs can fully re-open as normal will they be viable businesses and in the green once more."

The figures also show that more people used public transport.

Activity across Merseyside's transport hubs was 184 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, compared to 306 per cent down the week before.