Customers flock to shops, pubs, restaurants and barbers as lockdown eases – as it happened

Graeme Wearden

from on 2021-04-12 16:36 (#5GF9A)

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as non-essential shops reopen in England, and pubs and restaurants welcome customers outside

6.46pm BST

A late update: Shopper numbers at UK retailers surged by over 146% today, compared with last Monday.

That's according to the final footfall data from Springboard (up to 5pm today)

5.36pm BST

And finally...here's our news story on today's reopening:

Shoppers have surged back to high streets across England and Wales as fashion stores, toy shops, hairdressers and other nonessential retailers reopened their doors for the first time in more than three months.

As expected, stores have been very busy, but we're more than ready and very confident in the safety measures we have in place. The mood has been incredibly upbeat and positive."

We are trying to make a little cash. No one wakes up at this time otherwise."

5.33pm BST

As the first families began to filter in to Twycross zoo in Leicestershire on Monday morning, William clapped his hands with excitement - my colleague Jessica Murray reports.

They love to play and pull funny faces, and they interact with the children as well and the children love it. The chimps almost copy them."

We have been a bit lockdown fatigued so we were keen to come back for the first day it was open. And we've read about their lack of funding so we wanted to do our bit."

5.15pm BST

We've put together a gallery of picture of the reopening in England today - from shops and pubs to pet grooming salons and zoos:

5.14pm BST

It's turned into a rather nice afternoon in Didsbury, Manchester, for those returning to the pub, as Sophie Halle-Richards of the Manchester Evening News shows here:

Absolutely gorgeous outside the Didsbury in Didsbury village this afternoon as the beer garden here opens for the first time in months @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/XP5LT3IfUs

5.09pm BST

4.46pm BST

On the London Stock Exchange, shares have dropped away from last week's one-year high.

The FTSE 100 index has closed down 26 points or 0.4% at 6889 points.

Though the share price of the majority of retail and hospitality businesses on both the FTSE 100 and 250 made gains over the last month, today brought mixed fortunes. Consumers might have pent up demand and saved up cash but competition for their favour will be fierce and reality will have a long way to go to meet expectation.

4.42pm BST

Updated footfall figures from retail analysts Springboard show that UK customers numbers today were up by 116% week-on-week (up until 3pm today).

On a year-on-year basis, footfall was up 410% -- meaning there were five times as many people in retail parks, high streets and shopping centres than a year ago, during the first lockdown.

4.19pm BST

Revolut, the UK fintech banking service, has provided some handy spending data for this morning's reopening rush.

Hair we go! Spending in English hairdressers up 500% this morning pic.twitter.com/y5kCYhJdDq

4.10pm BST

Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have joined the centibillionaires club - with fortunes of over $100bn each.

That's according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index - a daily ranking of the world's richest people - after shares in Alphabet (Google's parent company) hit record highs last week.

Google shares have seen a particularly big rally in recent weeks after the US Supreme Court ruled in favour of the tech giant in its $9 billion copyright battle with Oracle.

The case was a landmark one for the tech industry. The Supreme Court ruled that Google did not break the law when it copied Oracle-owned software interfaces for its Android OS.

Elite $100 Billion Club Gets Two New Members Via Tech Boom https://t.co/Ox2jL9sYnF

3.32pm BST

Solicitors Poppleston Allen, who specialise in leisure licensing, have provided a comprehensive Q&A of the legal issues surrounding the easing of lockdown rules at pubs and restaurants in England.

3.03pm BST

Over in New York, shares have dipped at the start of trading on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones industrial average has slipped by 0.2%, or 68 points, to 33,732 points, having hit fresh record highs last week.

2.57pm BST

Despite the threat of rain (and this morning's snow!), people have been taking advantage of the chance for a drink or a meal outside again today.

And these photos from Manchester show the sun had made a welcome appearance:

2.49pm BST

More Britons returned to England's roads and public transport today as non-essential retailers reopened after almost 100 days of lockdown.

There's been a relatively small increase in the West Midlands but not huge numbers of people flocking back to the railway."

2.31pm BST

Tech news: Microsoft is buying artificial intelligence and speech technology firm Nuance Communications.

The deal will strengthen Microsoft's voice recognition technologies, and also bolster its position in the healthcare market, where Nuance sells many products.

Nuance provides the AI layer at the healthcare point of delivery and is a pioneer in the real-world application of enterprise AI.

AI is technology's most important priority, and healthcare is its most urgent application. Together, with our partner ecosystem, we will put advanced AI solutions into the hands of professionals everywhere to drive better decision-making and create more meaningful connections, as we accelerate growth of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare and Nuance."

Digital transcription has become more reliable in a range of settings, from medical consultations to board meetings and university lectures. The uptick in remote work has also created new opportunities. With so many meetings taking place via video, it is easier to offer customers transcriptions via software integrated directly into these calls. Zoom, for example, offers automatic transcription via integration with third-party services like Otter.

For Microsoft, which makes roughly two-thirds of its revenue from enterprise software sales and cloud computing, improving its transcription services for scenarios like these makes complete sense. The company could integrate Nuance's technology into its existing software, like Teams, or offer it independently as part of its Azure cloud business.

Microsoft buys AI speech tech company Nuance for $19.7 billion https://t.co/sm8kGXvQ02 pic.twitter.com/mIzSydRoty

2.02pm BST

A new campaign has been launched today, to encourage retailers to consider the needs of shoppers with hearing impairments during the pandemic.

Called #WeSupportDeafAwareness, it launched at The Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading this morning.

Deafness is a hidden disability', and people with hearing difficulties already feel isolated.

For many deaf people, they rely on lipreading, and the pandemic has made communication almost impossible with the need to stay safe and wear masks. Many employees in essential services have not understood just how difficult it is to communicate without the ability to lipread, and have not had the awareness training to manage this effectively. Some simply do not seem to understand what is meant by lipreading', and many have been reluctant to take their masks off, even when maintaining social distances."

First #WeSupportDeafAwareness Retail Centre open for 12th April! @OracleReading - all 100 retailers onboard. So excited!! #disabilityinclusion pic.twitter.com/ZfcQP054wX

1.29pm BST

Retail visitors on Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street and Mayfair today are around 44% of the usual April footfall, according to New West End Company (which represent 600 businesses in the area).

Footfall this morning was slightly above our predictions, and was an encouraging start to reopening. We saw around 44 percent of the usual number of April visitors, with domestic shoppers out in force, but until international shoppers return the West End businesses will continue to need extra government support."

This is why we have written to the government to ask for an extension of Sunday trading hours in Britain's two international centres - London's West End and Knightsbridge. Greater flexibility on Sundays is vital to attract customers back into the capital, giving them the opportunity to spend what they want, when they want, all the while boosting the wider economy and crucially protecting jobs."

1.20pm BST

Springboard have now issued updated footfall figures, covering all of this morning's trading up to noon.

12.44pm BST

In the accountancy world, KPMG's partners have voted overwhelmingly" to approve the nomination of Jon Holt as the firm's UK chief executive.

Holt, formerly KPMG's head of audit, takes over two months after former KPMG UK chair, Bill Michael, quit after telling staff to stop moaning" during a virtual meeting.

12.24pm BST

In other news...the cybersecurity firm Darktrace has announced plans to float on the London Stock Exchange, in a move that will reportedly value the Cambridge-based company at 3bn.

It is the first big company to have chosen the City for its initial public offering (IPO) since Deliveroo's disappointing stock market debut last month.

12.08pm BST

Outdoor hospitality venues including museums, theme parks and zoos have also been welcoming people back....

11.44am BST

Here's Reuters' early take on this morning's footfall numbers:

The reopening of England's shopping districts drew the crowds on Monday, with footfall across all UK retail destinations to 10am BST jumping 218% on last week, Springboard data showed.

Springboard said UK footfall to shopping centres had risen by 340%. With infection numbers falling in Britain, English shops, hairdressers, gyms and pub gardens reopened early on Monday.

Widely anticipated surge in #shopper #footfall as non-essential #retailers re-open appears to be materializing!
Shopper numbers jump 218% as England reopens economy https://t.co/LQY3Fhmgm5

We have hit the shops big time today!

Footfall is up 339.7% in shopping centres, 232.8% in high streets and 58.2% on retail parks week on week, says Springboard.

On pre-pandemic 2019, all UK retail destinations' footfall today is 14.7% lower, but retail parks are up +12.6%

11.30am BST

Retail analyst group Springboard has just released figures on customer numbers up until 10am.

It shows that footfall (the number of people in shops, shopping centres and retail parks) has jumped over 200% so far this morning (up to 10am), compared with last week (when non-essential shops were closed).

Footfall (number of shoppers out and about) across all UK destinations is up 218% week on week, according industry experts Springboard. Includes 339.7% rise in shopping centres, and 232.8% in high streets.

First @Springboard_ figures out, to 10am

Week/week, year/year comps meaningless really

But vs 2019: down 14.7% overall vs -25% at best point in 2020

Retail parks doing best, high streets worst. Central London still stuffed (-68%) but market towns +4.9%

11.15am BST

Over in the eurozone, retail spending has jumped by more than expected.

Retail sales in the single currency region rose by 3% month-on-month in February, twice as fast as expected, as some countries relaxed Covid-10 rules (although they've since been tightened again, amid a new wave of infections).

Euro area #RetailTrade +3.0% in February 2021 over January 2021 , -2.9% over February 2020 https://t.co/KFgWOkorfn pic.twitter.com/HDAi1A2kcd

11.08am BST

Businesses and the government are being urged to ensure front-line staff are given proper protection as shops and hospitality firms reopen.

As non essential retail once again reopens its doors, the increased pressure on our customer-facing workers must not be overlooked. Many take on increased responsibilities - from enforcing the wearing of face masks to enforcing social distancing - often in the face of frustrated and disgruntled customers.

Our research has shown that more than a third (34%) of customer-facing staff say the number of hostile encounters with customers has increased since the third national lockdown began - and this behaviour cannot, and should not, be tolerated.

10.52am BST

The lifting of lockdown restrictions to allow people in England to use pub beer gardens and dine in the outdoor areas of restaurants is being met by snowfall, as a spring cold snap hits, my colleague Kevin Rawlinson writes.

The inclement weather will come as a blow to thousands of businesses that were hoping to welcome back customers on Monday after months of restrictions.

10.50am BST

Some market traders in London's Covent Garden have set up their stalls for the first day of trading this year.

By Monday the famous former flower market will have 800 alfresco restaurant seats, outdoor heaters and large umbrellas, waiters, fine food, alcohol and, they hope, lots of punters.

But are Londoners going to flock down? Or have they become too accustomed now to Deliveroo and Amazon?

We're live in Covent Garden as restaurants, pubs and shops get ready to reopen for the first time since December today! pic.twitter.com/lHhjQBdYJg

In Jubilee Market only one man has kept going: florist Melvin Taylor, 66, began trading shrubs to become a garden centre.

I do miss the Opera House," he said. It was huge for business. And the theatres and the hotels. And the office workers, and the tourists. The Waldorf and The Savoy, they're not opening until 17 May. So, a lot won't open until then.

10.18am BST

Back in the City, retailers aren't enjoying a share price jump.

Shares in AB Foods are down 2% despite the sight of keen shoppers at its Primark stores this morning, while Next has dropped 2.4% and JD Sports has dipped nearly 1%.

Reports on social media would suggest that hairdressers and barbers needn't worry as demand is sky-high. A lot of pubs have also seen strong bookings, which means all eyes are on the retail sector to see if people are happy to get back in the shops or whether they've become addicted to the online channel.

The jury is still out judging by Monday's early share price reactions...

9.52am BST

Charity shops can also reopen today -- in a welcome boost to the voluntary sector.

The Charity Retail Association says it expects very strong trading" and high levels of donations -- you can use this webpage to see if your local charity shop is open.

Most charity shops will be reopening their doors today and are well prepared to bounce back to life right away. There are comprehensive measures in place to keep people safe and innovative plans to deal with large volumes of donations.

It was hugely impressive and heart-warming to see all the work being done by charity shop staff and volunteers to get ready for re-opening. This includes refurbishments, general improvements to shops, changing shop layouts and working hard to make those window displays as welcoming and attractive as they can be!"

9.46am BST

English barbers have also been busy this morning, with queues of people keen to get their barnets trimmed.

9.38am BST

London's Heathrow Airport is still feeling the impact of the pandemic.

It reported this morning that passenger numbers fell by over 82% in March compared to a year ago.

Heathrow passenger traffic falls 82% in March https://t.co/YIyB6Z49qE pic.twitter.com/uhEvvCaxCh

9.31am BST

Some hardy drinkers have already enjoyed their first pints at English pubs today...

9.24am BST

Shoppers have also been queing outside Selfridges department store on Oxford Street this morning, despite the chilly weather:

8.59am BST

Shoppers queued outside Primark and sports shops on London's Oxford Street early on Monday as clothing and other non-essential retailers opened their doors for the first time in more than three months.

About 40 people queued outside Primark despite icy weather, but they were outnumbered by young people, mostly young men, waiting outside JD Sports, Footlocker and Nike Town in a bid to buy sought-after trainers to buy online.

Diyar Cicek, 19, standing outside JD as flakes of snow fell at 8am, said:

We are trying to make a little cash. No one wakes up at this time otherwise."

Jordans bring money and that's what makes the world go round."

Everyone has missed Primark. I don't buy online. It just comes wrong and it is a long process to send it back."

8.51am BST

The capricious English weather means it will be tricky for the pub industry to reopen for outdoor customers today (some landlords will be busy sweeping away snow this morning).

The CEO of UK pub chain Young's, Patrick Dardis, says that it still isn't viable for some pubs to reopen.

Today is just a very small step towards getting our business back to anywhere near viability. We are only allowed to serve outdoors, which is so reliant on the weather. We are pleased to be opening circa 140 pubs, as we are determined to play our part in kickstarting the economy.

However, let's not get too excited as we still cannot serve indoors. At least half of UK pubs and 60% of restaurants will not be opening today, as the restrictions make it unviable. Even on 17th May, we will not be trading anywhere near normal.

8.45am BST

In the City, stocks have opened slightly lower.

The FTSE 100 index is down 38 points, or 0.5%, at 6877 points, with mining stocks among the fallers. Last week the index of blue-chip shares hit its highest level since the pandemic began.

In a week that saw the FTSE100 close at its best levels in over a year, optimism over this week's economic reopening of outdoor pubs, shops, gyms and hairdressers, appears to be being tempered by concerns over next month's local and regional elections, and in particular how well the (Scottish National Party) SNP might do in the context of whether they get a mandate from Scottish voters to hold another independence referendum.

These concerns seem somewhat premature and overstated at this point in time, however these undercurrents could well act as a bit of a handbrake on any upside for UK stocks, as well as the pound over the next few weeks.

8.25am BST

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, says it was a big day" for reopening businesses, and that many were excited and desperate" to welcome customers back.

She told Sky News:

It's a big day for the country and it's a big day for all of these businesses reopening their doors today.

They are very excited and desperate to welcome their customers back (with) the focus on safety."

Members of the public have a part to play in following the signage, the guidance that we get given queueing if we need to... and all of the safety features that are in place.

We have a role too."

8.18am BST

Hairdressers and beauty salons in England can also open up again today - a relief to millions in need of a trim, recolouring or other treatments.

I know that our therapists are just so happy to be working with clients again.

Everyone has really missed the social contact of the day-to-day job and making clients happy. We haven't been able to do that for the best part of five-to-six months."

We realised we had quite a few regular clients who we weren't able to book in on the first day back, so we thought why don't we open the first moment we can?'

And then we're filling a lot of people in at dawn - a lot of 6am haircuts. Which is amazing, because people are going to have their hair cut and blowdried and then they can get on a Zoom call.

(The haircut) feels amazing, I can't stop touching it.

(It's been) about seven or eight months, since my last one, so I had some very split ends. I'm very impatient, so I didn't want to wait. (I booked it) as soon as they could fit me in."

8.00am BST

My colleague Sarah Butler has braced the cold and snow on London's Oxford Street as retailers reopen their doors.

She reports that there's quite a queue outside the JD Sports store this morning, as shoppers flock to buy its sportswear clothes and trainers.

Almost a scrum outside JD on Oxford St as you people queue for over an hour to get sought after trainers to trade online.. pic.twitter.com/bi3CeKWB5a

By far the busiest spot on a snowy(!) Oxford St as non essential shops reopen pic.twitter.com/9rXw2pPkSc

7.55am BST

Small businesses are also hoping that business activity will rebound as lockdown restrictions are eased.... but some also fear that they'll be forced to lay off staff.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says its small business confidence guage has hit its highest level since autumn 2014.

It's fantastic that our shops, hairdressers and gyms can get back to doing what they do best all over England from today, with some restrictions easing in other parts of the UK as well.

The certainty provided by the Government's road map is filling many small business owners with renewed confidence. We live in hope that the virus stays in retreat so the remaining indicative dates for unlocking can be met, enabling our vital night-time economies, offices and travel and tourism businesses to get back to it as well.

7.49am BST

Confidence among big businesses in Britain about their profits in the year ahead has hit a record high, helped by the country's coronavirus vaccinations and hopes for less Brexit disruption.

A survey of chief finance officers showed that the UK's finance leaders are much more upbeat. They're anticipating an upsurge in hiring and capital expenditure expected as economic uncertainty eases -- thanks to vaccine rollouts, and some easing of Brexit anxiety.

Brexit has been a significant dampener on business activity in the last four years but with the UK's final departure from the EU, such effects are fading. Combined with a successful vaccine rollout and a greatly improved global backdrop we are seeing a turbo-charged surge in business optimism.

Having come through the deepest downturn in 300 years UK businesses are firmly focussed on growth. Pent-up business and consumer demand are set to power a strong profits recovery, one already anticipated by the surge in equity markets since February."

7.30am BST

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business.

Large queues are forming outside Primark in Liverpool as non essential retail reopens for the first time since January. More on @GMB pic.twitter.com/Nstm2cSzsx

April 12th has arrived! Primark Liverpool morning rush! #april12th #Liverpool @LivEchonews @EchoWhatsOn pic.twitter.com/y98IpDDDCH

Beer garden anyone? #snow #Midlands #wtaf pic.twitter.com/AuDUIYBXd1

Lockdown down for 4 months now it decides to snow f##k pic.twitter.com/ph1qq0SuyO

Hello Monday morning! Big fat flakes of #snow in South West London. pic.twitter.com/jUOpgZIE81

Kriti Sachdeva is more excited about the easing of national lockdown restrictions than she is about her birthday in November. I want to celebrate," she said. I want to do everything, I just worry I won't have time to fit it all in."

She plans to go to the gym, eat brunch on the pavement at her favourite cafe, hit the shops, meet up with friends for a group outdoor yoga class and see work colleagues for drinks at an outdoor pub.

Source	RSS or Atom Feed
Feed Location	http://feeds.theguardian.com/theguardian/business/economics/rss
Feed Title
Feed Link	http://feeds.theguardian.com/