Oxford City Council data shows that footfall in the city centre in December 2024 surpassed 2023 and bucked national trends.
The data reveals:
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2.68 million people visited Oxford city centre in December 2024, compared to 2.56 million in December 2023—an increase of 4.76%, outperforming the national average
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although footfall remains slightly below pre-pandemic levels (2.81 million in December 2019), Oxford is faring significantly better than other UK high streets.
The British Retail Consortium reported that high street footfall across the UK fell by 2.7% in December 2024 compared to the previous year.
Despite this trend, Oxford’s city centre continues to be a strong draw for visitors, particularly during the festive season. It is possible that Oxford’s performance reflects a broader trend of cities performing better than smaller towns as consumers looked for unique festive experiences.
Christmas in Oxford
December 2024 saw a new Christmas event on Broad Street, organised by Keston Events Ltd. Christmas in Oxford included a community stage with a varied programme of musical performances, an Alpine Lodge Bar, carousel and high-quality food, drink and gift stalls. The varied offering encouraged repeat visits and extended opening hours, from 23 November 2024 to 5 January 2025, gave people more opportunities to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Oxford City Council continues to support the evolution of the city centre through initiatives included within the City Centre Action Plan, adopted in 2022. The Plan focuses on strengthening the city by ensuring it remains a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable destination for residents and visitors. This includes investing in public spaces, such as the pedestrian-friendly changes on Market Street and underway on St Michael’s Street, supporting local businesses and investing nearly £8 million to future-proof and upgrade the Covered Market.
Comment
“High streets across the UK have faced real challenges in the past few years, so we’re proud that Oxford has continued to thrive as a destination.
“Our city centre continues to evolve to meet changing needs, ensuring we provide fantastic experiences as well as being a shopping destination.
“Events like Christmas in Oxford are part of our commitment to making the city centre more vibrant and exciting throughout the year.
“We will continue to work hard to make sure Oxford remains a world-class city for residents and visitors.”
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and an Inclusive Economy
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