If you are investment planning in Oswestry and neighbouring areas, one Shropshire town enjoyed a spending boom in September.
Data published by Shrewsbury BID, in conjunction with MRI Springboard and Beauclair, showed that shoppers spent over £10 million in Shrewsbury over the month.
Footfall in the town saw a year-on-year rise of 11%, whilst retail sales in the town centre were up 6.4%. People on average purchased 8% more on average compared to the same period in 2024. Broken down by market sector, £3.52 million went on food and drink, £1.8 million on fashion, whilst health and beauty businesses generated £1.45 million in income. Elsewhere, grocery stores recorded sales of £1.42 million, and general retail recorded £773,000.
Shropshire Council were quick to herald the figures as an endorsement of the town and its ‘economic vitality’, particularly when retail sales contracted 4% nationwide over the same period. For his part, the Executive Director of Shrewsbury BID, Seb Slater said it was encouraging to see such positive data on the back of the summer holidays, and to see local footfall and sales trends outperform the national picture. He added that the strength of Shrewsbury’s offering gave it great momentum entering Q4.
To support its research, Shrewsbury BID monitors footfall and retail performance every month using its findings to boost local businesses and help formulate town centre strategy. The organisation also recently revamped its Work in Shrewsbury Data Hub. This provides more detailed, accessible data to support current and prospective businesses in the town centre.
