City confidence grows

City confidence grows

The high street in Derby is returning to pre-pandemic activity levels more rapidly than other cities in the Midlands region according to a national report.

New research by leading think tank, the Centre for Cities, showing average footfall levels in city centres for the last full week of August, indicate an overall recovery index of 93% for Derby. This compares with 59% in Nottingham and 52% in Birmingham. At the same time, offline sales in Derby city centre have also risen to 85% of their pre-lockdown figure.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby commented; "We have to treat these figures with some caution as they are contingent on pre-pandemic levels. However, the city's recovery plan is to build confidence and initiatives such as Bondholder Derby City Council's Market Place Al Fresco initiative will have contributed to increased footfall. Our experience is that investors welcome any positive news and topping a league table can only help."

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