Chorlton has a footfall counter, sited just above the entrance to Chorlton Precinct on Wilbraham Road. It was placed there 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 Springboard

For more than five years, it’s been counting people who walk past and providing valuable data on how busy Chorlton’s district centre is. 

Since the pandemic, we’ve found that Chorlton is well down on pre-pandemic levels. There are lots of reasons for this, not least a whole year (February 2023-April 2024)  of cycleway roadworks. There’s also the move to online shopping and soaring costs. Expensive rent and rates have limited the variety and viability of local shops, especially the ‘village’ shops – bakers, greengrocers, newsagents and others. We believe also that parking in Chorlton is more difficult than it needs to be. And we’ve now lost the Precinct. While not a thing of beauty in itself, it was home to a collection of shops that will be missed. As traders, we oppose the proposals to reduce retail space, remove the car park and give the site over to private housing. 

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. 

Footfall – 2023 in review.