Boston town centre has enjoyed one of its busiest Decembers in recent years, with a footfall increase of up to 65% and a higher number of visitors than were seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data.
The new figures, shared by Boston Borough Council, show that December 2022 saw higher numbers of visitors to the town centre than over any of the previous three Christmas periods, with a 30% increase from 2021, 65% increase on 2020, and a 12% increase compared to 2019.
The Council ran a series of successful events and initiatives to help encourage shoppers into the town over this period, including the popular Festive Market, Illuminate Parade and Santa Fun Run, as well as offering free parking across 15 council car parks in the run-up to Christmas.
Over the past year council officers have also been working in partnership with property owners in the town centre to clear up known fly-tipping and dumping hot spots, including at the back of the former Bambridges offices on Wide Bargate, Boston. This work is to help tackle health and safety risks and to make the town centre cleaner and more welcoming.
Moving forwards, the Council found out last month that it had successfully secured £14.8m from the Government Levelling Up Fund to help kick-start regeneration and secure further investment to the heart of the town centre.
Boston’s Rosegarth Square masterplan, forming part of PE21, seeks to revitalise and repurpose the area between the River Witham and the bus station. It will particularly focus on the area of the former Dunelm / B&M building and the vacant Crown House building, creating a new public park, green spaces, improved pedestrian routes, artwork and other features to create an inviting, safe, accessible and enjoyable place.
Councillor Tracey Abbott, Portfolio Holder for Town Centre, said: “It is so encouraging to see these new footfall statistics showing a really positive trend for Boston town centre, reaching higher levels than we even saw before the impact of the pandemic. This is a great reflection of the hard work that has taken place with businesses to make it a desirable and accessible place to visit and shop.
“Our fantastic range of local businesses are the heart of the Borough, and it is important that we all continue to take pride in our area and do what we can to support them, now and into the future.”
Scott Crowson, Managing Director of Coneys Designer Wear, who have traded in Boston since 1856, added: “It is great to see that an increasing number of shoppers are returning to Boston town centre, and supporting the local independent businesses like ours who depend on them.
“Continuing work to make the town centre an attractive prospect and initiatives to help increase footfall is so important for residents and businesses alike, and we are really pleased to see the Council continuing their commitment to this and securing major funding to help transform parts of the town moving forwards.”
