Retailers in Hammersmith and Fulham had a Christmas to remember with increased footfall and sales, says the council.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council says the majority of businesses in central Hammersmith reported an increase in both footfall and trade in the run up to Christmas.
In a survey undertaken by the local BID – HammersmithLondon – more than two-thirds of retailers beat their 2013 trading figures, with one major high street retailer and one major pub chain saying they had recorded their ‘best ever sales’ results for this period.
Businesses who were new in 2013 reported a much better second year, while food and beverage retailers reported a strong tourist presence in Hammersmith over the Christmas period.
“The council has been working hard to attract new businesses to Hammersmith,” says Cllr Andrew Jones, H&F Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration.
“We have also been one of the main funders of the Lyric theatre’s expansion and refurbishment and we believe a combination of independent traders, large retailers and great cultural offerings are the keys to the continued success of Hammersmith town centre.”
HammersmithLondon organised a busy programme of events, including a free gift wrapping service, which wrapped more than 2,300 presents over 19 days.
Despite business concerns that shoppers might be put off by the number of empty shops in Kings Mall and the town centre, footfall at Kings Mall has increased since 2013 by more than 10,000 visits.
Meanwhile, in Fulham, the council’s traffic-free Festive Market on 6 December led to 10,000 visitors visiting North End Road in a single day. Cllr Jones said, “There was a great atmosphere and lots of shopping. We are talking to residents, stallholders and businesses about how the expanded market can be repeated throughout the year.”
