Shoppers return to Waverley

Five months after the end of England’s third lockdown, footfall counters are showing that people are continuing to return to Waverley’s High Streets.

The counters in Godalming, Cranleigh, Haslemere and Wey Hill show that since the end of June there has been a 23 per cent increase in footfall.

Councillor Liz Townsend, portfolio holder for economic development at Waverley Borough Council, says: "These figures paint a very encouraging picture for Waverley's economic centres. We have recently been able to also secure a suitable location for a counter in Farnham which means we will soon have data from our largest town centre. This will complete the set and give us a greater insight into how our high streets are recovering from what is still a very challenging time."

To give a boost to small businesses, on Saturday 4 December, shoppers across the UK are encouraged to shop local for Small Business Saturday. Councillor Townsend says: "Over the past couple of years many of us have been shopping closer to home and have discovered some wonderful independent businesses. Some of these businesses really went that extra mile during the height of the pandemic and we have really appreciated the role they play in our communities. As Christmas approaches, businesses still face challenges with getting back on their feet so it would be great to continue to show our appreciation and shop local."

As a way of providing practical help to the business community, the council supports an initiative called Click it Local. The online marketplace enables shoppers to shop from the borough's participating independent businesses via one website. Customers can choose to collect their items or have them delivered.

Councillor Townsend says: "Click it Local is a convenient way to experience some of Waverley's independent shops online. As an added incentive, residents can enjoy £10 off and free delivery until 15 December simply by entering the code WAVERLEY10 at the checkout. It's really easy to browse www.clickitlocal.co.uk to find out what's on offer."

The voucher terms and conditions can be viewed at www.businesswaverley.co.uk and details about how retailers can be part of Click it Local can be found on the FAQ section of the Click it Local website. 

The footfall counters were purchased through the government's Reopening High Streets Safely fund and Click it Local is funded by the Additional Restrictions Grant.