More than 21 million people visited Eldon Square in 2022 as the Newcastle shopping centre sees footfall make a steady return to pre-pandemic levels.
After a challenging few years for the UK high street, Eldon Square bosses have said that things are getting back on track as it reveals a huge increase in the number of shoppers visiting the centre over the last 12 months.
Latest figures from the shopping centre show a total of 21,552,731 shoppers made a trip to Eldon Square in 2022 - a 54.7% rise in visitors compared to 2020.
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The encouraging number is also a 42.9% increase compared to 2021 and demonstrates that people are regaining the confidence to return to the city following the pandemic. However, footfall in 2022 is 32.8% less than in 2019.
The soar in shoppers comes after 15 new store openings in 2022 which include global brands Victoria’s Secret, Swatch and Mango. A number of new restaurants including The Real Greek and Cosmo Authentic World Kitchen have also helped to draw customers to the centre over the last year, according to Eldon Square bosses.
Eldon Square asset manager, Catella APAM, said occupancy levels in the centre have soared in the last two years since it took over, with nearly 30 new lettings and 40 lease renewals for brands such as H&M and Molton Brown.
Bernice Nesham, from Catella APAM, said: "We're delighted to finish this year on such a high note.
"Welcoming a number of high-profile retailers, as well as independent businesses to our centre in combination with a growing footfall is the greatest testament to the work that we’ve been doing at the centre.
"Despite the rise in online shopping, we have seen significant footfall increases in Eldon Square, and retailers are keen to get in on the action and become part of this vibrant shopping centre. These new openings are fantastic news, not just for Eldon Square, but for our entire region, as even with the current difficulties the retail industry is facing, we are still securing commercial interest and development."
Eldon Square's new shops in 2022
- Bravissimo
- Victoria's Secret
- Austen & Blake
- Sports Traider
- Calendar Club
- Mango
- Kick Game
- Accessorize
- Be More Geek
- Swatch
- iSmash
- Ramsdens
Eldon Square's new restaurants 2022
- The Bake Eldon
- Cosmo Authentic World Kitchen
- George's Fish Shack
- Bagel Factory
- The Real Greek
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