There were 11.9 per cent more people in Oxford city centre last week compared to the same week last year, latest footfall figures have shown.
It means that for the week beginning 22 January, an impressive 722,166 people came into Oxford to shop, visit the attractions, or take advantage of the pubs and restaurants.
And it not just that one week that has shown an increase. The trend over the last year has been a large increase, up 16.6 per cent on the previous year.
The City Council measures the number of city centre visitors by counting those who pass through Cornmarket, Queen Street, and St George's Place.
Cllr Bob Price, Board Member for Corporate Strategy and Economic Development, said: "We are continuing to see a very welcome and significant increase in the number of people coming into the centre of the city. This is almost certainly a ‘Westgate Effect’, but the effect is not confined to the new shopping centre and the numbers of people all round the city centre have shown a big increase.
"Oxford’s performance is even more encouraging when it is set against the national picture which shows a 3 per cent fall in footfall across city centres nationwide.”
The busiest day during the week was last Saturday, when 130,946 visitors Were recorded in Cornmarket and Queen St The busiest time was 2pm. when 12,777 people were in the city centre.
Cllr Price added: "Two years ago around 640,000 people came into the city centre during the same week in January. With almost 723,000 visiting last week, I am pleased that our city centre is clearly attracting new people and has a buoyant retail and leisure offer with its accompanying beneficial effects for the local economy."
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