Oxford city centre has bounced back this summer after being hit harder than most UK city centres during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recent footfall data from Oxford City Council has found that Oxford city centre saw a 14.6% increase in summer footfall this year, bucking the national trend, which saw an average 0.3% decrease across the UK.
The data shows that:
- Between June 2023 to August 2023, Oxford city centre saw an increase in visitors compared to the same period in 2022, with July close to pre-pandemic numbers and August surpassing them.
- Eight and a half million people visited the historic city centre between June and August this year, compared to just 7.5m in 2022. Approximately 3m people visited the centre in August 2023, compared to 2.5m in 2022 and only 2.9m in 2019.
In addition to the increase in visitors, the city centre has had 26 new businesses open this year and 35 are currently under offer or negotiation in the City Centre, Covered Market and Westgate.
2023 vacancy rates in the city are still above pre-pandemic levels but are moving in the right direction. In the most recent count, there were 32 available units – units that are not under negotiation or refurbishment – compared to 39 earlier this year, 49 in October 2022 and 20 in March 2020.
Oxford has a 5.6% vacancy rate. This is below the Southern (12.5%) and Northern (25%) averages.
The Covered Market
The city centre's increase was also reflected in the Covered Market’s footfall, which has been consistently ahead of pre-pandemic levels since April this year.
During the summer months, the market had 310,283 visitors in 2023 compared to 297,302 in 2019 and only 238,243 last year.
This increase in footfall coincides with Oxford City Council’s trial of extended opening hours which launched in May 2023 following overwhelmingly positive feedback in a 2022 consultation.
A variety of traders have been participating in the trial, which sees the market open until 11pm Thursday – Saturday (individual traders’ opening hours may vary).
The market’s array of traders offers the widest-ever to date selection of specialist artisan produce, cafés, bars, gifts, experiences, fashion, and lifestyle products. There are currently only 3 available units in the Covered Market.
The extended opening hours trial is part of the City Council’s wider plans for the redevelopment of the market and city centre.
In 2022, Oxford City Council officially adopted the City Centre Action Plan. The plan was developed in collaboration between the City Council and local stakeholders to identify ways to strengthen the resilience of Oxford city centre, post-pandemic.
It focuses on four workstreams for improvement - including Public Realm and Animation, and Getting the Basics Right - that the City Council, and relevant stakeholders, have been working on in the city centre:
- In Autumn 2022, Oxfordshire County Council part-pedestrianised Broad Street following a successful City Council trial in Summer 2021. The wider pedestrian area with seating and planting creates a free, relaxed, outdoor environment in the heart of the city. There are designated events spaces, operated by the City Council, allowing theatre, music, community, and other groups to put on work for public.
- Since 2020, the City Council has approved over 100 outdoor licenses and continues to work proactively with those looking at an outdoor area to support their business. Outdoor seating throughout the city has not only helped businesses provide more space and boost revenue, but it has also given a wonderful, continental feel to the city’s picturesque streets.
- The City Council is using grant funding from the Chewing Gum Task Force, administered by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, to remove chewing gum from several city centre streets. The removal of chewing gum litter makes Oxford feel cleaner and more welcoming to people coming into the centre.
Work around The City Centre Action Plan is ongoing until 2030, however, this summer’s footfall increase indicates that changes are being felt.
There is a lot of work to come that should continue to support the summer’s positive trend, including, but not limited to, the Clarendon Centre Development, The Covered Market redevelopment, Oxford Train Station redevelopment, Oxpens, and the opening of The Store Hotel. As well as ongoing work with stakeholders to bring units back into business or improve the look of vacant units that are under negotiation.
“This summer’s rise in footfall shows Oxford city centre continues to be a thriving destination, despite national trends and despite the challenges of the Botley Road Bridge closure.
"It’s been wonderful to see the city’s streets and businesses busy over the summer and we have a lot of exciting projects planned - including the redevelopment of the Covered Market and the Clarendon Centre – that will help to keep the city centre vibrant.”
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council and Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy and Partnerships
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