Footfall Down But Guildford Town Centre Looks Busy

Published on: 24 Aug, 2020
Updated on: 24 Aug, 2020

By Hugh Coakley

Despite footfall figures in Guildford showing a year-on-year drop of 28%, the town looked to be busy as the sun shone on Guildford on Monday, August 24.

There were parents and children queuing outside shoe shops as the new term school opening day loomed. Restaurants were making the most of the sunny weather with alfresco dining in Tunsgate and in the other pleasant side streets off the High Street, giving a very continental feel to the town.

And the magnificent flower displays in the Castle Grounds were giving a treat to the weary shoppers on the park benches.

The town was busy despite the recorded drop in number of people coming in to shop compared to pre-Covid.

Queues outside of Clarks, the shoe shop. Sharon Odhams with her daughter, Rebecca, said that she had waited for 30 minutes. “It’s a nice day so we are alright.” she added.

And queuing at Russell & Bromley’s shop…..

The good weather and the need to socially distance has made alfresco dining in Guildford more common with at least eight restaurants with an outdoors service. Positanos, the Italian restaurant, is making the most of the space in Tunsgate.

Diners eating outside the Tunsgate Quarter from Pho, the Vietnamese restaurant in Tunsgate.

Eating outside the Giggling Squid in Chapel Street.

The government scheme to “Eat Out 2 Help Out” has encouraged people back to restaurants after the lockdown.

People were looking for bargains in the many shops with up to 60% reductions. Gap and Gap Kids were holding a ‘Closing Down’ sale but no date for the closure had been announced.

The new coffee shop, Ceylon House of Coffee, has finally opened in the High Street after months of fitting out.

Lululemon, the clothes shop for yoga, running and “other sweaty pursuits”, is moving from the Tunsgate Quarter to a new location next to the Guildhall in the High Street.