Christmas train strikes to knock retail footfall

Retail footfall is expected to take a substantial hit over Christmas due to train strikes.

The news has been described an “enormous blow to the West End” by retailers who will now miss out on one of the busiest shopping periods.

RMT union strikes led by Mick Lynch are scheduled from 6pm on Christmas Eve until 6am on 27 December. Strikes are also scheduled for the 16 and 17 December.

New West End Company CEO, Dee Corsi said: “to cause such disruption during the single busiest trading period for the high street will be a crushing disappointment not only to the business owners looking to continue their recovery, but also those working in retail and hospitality who will now struggle to get to work.”

Springboard recently reported that footfall was down 11.2% in November compared to pre-pandemic levels and were concerned about how a ‘muted’ Christmas period would affect retailers still in recovery.