West End footfall resurges as Plan B is scrapped

London’s West End has welcomed a “promising” boost to its footfall in the first full week following the end of Plan B restrictions.

Weekend footfall reached the highest level since November 2021, hitting 79% of pre-pandemic levels. It was also up by 11% against the previous weekend as more consumers returned to the area.

Overall, between 27 January and 2 February, total daily footfall was up on average up 10% week-on-week.

As an increasing number of workers returned to the office, morning commuter footfall was also up by 9% against the prior week. 

Artjom Hatsaturjants, head of Business Intelligence at New West End Company, said: “Footfall figures for the first full week since the easing of Plan B restrictions show that London’s West End has experienced a promising boost, with footfall this weekend back to 79% of pre-pandemic levels, the highest level we have seen since November 2021.

“We have also seen morning commuter footfall growing at a pace. The return of office employees and UK visitors will no doubt be a relief to retailers and hospitality businesses in the district.”

He added: “We must now see concerted efforts to attract high spending overseas tourists back to the Capital to help accelerate the recovery of London’s businesses from the challenges of the last two years.”