Chorlton Footfall

Chorlton has a footfall counter outside the former Chorlton Precinct on Wilbraham Road. It was placed there in 2018 as part of the Vital and Viable Chorlton project, run by the Institute of Place Management at Manchester Metropolitan University, on behalf of the City Council’s District Centre Sub-group.  It’s operated by retail analysts MRI. 

Since the pandemic, we’ve found that Chorlton is well down on pre-pandemic levels and numbers continue to fall. There are lots of reasons for this, not least a whole year (February 2023-April 2024)  of cycleway roadworks and the closure of Chorlton Precinct in January 2024. While not a thing of beauty in itself, the Precinct was home to a collection of shops that are greatly missed.

Expensive rent and rates have limited the variety and viability of local shops, especially the ‘village’ shops – bakers, greengrocers, newsagents and others. There’s also the move to online shopping and soaring stock, staff and utilities costs.

We believe also that parking in Chorlton is more difficult than it needs to be. As traders, we oppose the proposals to reduce retail space, remove the car park and give the site over to high-rise apartments. 

There are LOTS of things to celebrate and be proud of in Chorlton. We still have our ‘destination’ shops, which bring people in from outside the area, but please – if you live here – shop locally to support local trade and a vibrant local high street.  

And if you can, perhaps leave the car at home. We have a safe, segregated cycleway and plenty of bike parking, so load up your panniers!