There was a 14% increase in people coming into Liverpool city centre in the first 10 days of December compared to 2024, data from Liverpool BID Company reveals. Tony McDonough reports
Almost 2.3m people visited Liverpool city centre in the first 10 days of December – a 14% rise on the same period in 2024.
Data from Liverpool BID Company, which represents more than 800 businesses in the city centre, said the busiest day so far was Saturday, December 6, which saw 357,437 people in the area. BID’s cameras cover the main retail district but don’t cover Liverpool ONE.
Businesses will welcome the increased footfall in December which comes amid a challenging economic climate for hospitality. The BID records key data including footfall and spend across the city centre, as part of its work to support business.
With Christmas attractions open across the city – including the Christmas market at St George’s Hall, The Elf on the Shelf, Liverpool Winter Festival at the Pier Head- the busy December sees a record-breaking year continue.
This has seen the highest level of hotel room bookings (July) and footfall beat the level last set pre-COVID in 2019.
Sunday, December 7, which saw the annual Santa dash take place with 11,000 runners, saw footfall reach 251,353 in the city centre, up 11% compared with the same day in 2024.
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BID chief executive Bill Addy said: “This comes at a crucial time for businesses, particularly hospitality. It is part of our role as support to make sure we have the most positive environment in which to do business.
“That means supporting activity that draws people into the city centre and creates a friendly welcome. This is a tough time for business, so an increase in footfall increases positivity of a solid final quarter of the year.
“We will be starting 2026 with a renewed campaign to help hospitality, who are facing a projected on average increase of 25% in Business Rates, increased staffing costs and costs for utility bills.
“When people are coming into the city centre we want them to feel confident about ensuring the money they spend is going to help keep those businesses that we love open and thriving for the New Year.”