Bury St Edmunds town centre saw 25% more visitors in the week before Christmas than the previous year, according to new figures

Bury St Edmunds saw 25 per cent more visitors in the week before Christmas than the previous year, according to new figures.

A survey, commissioned by Business Improvement District (BID) organisation, Our Bury St Edmunds, also showed people spend more in the town, compared with the national average, and 70 per cent of businesses rated the prosperity of the town as ‘positive’.

It also highlighted parking costs though as a ‘continuing issue’ for nearly half of all respondents.

Our Bury St Edmunds BID chief executive, Mark Cordell, said: “This report makes welcome reading as we head into 2024.

“The footfall recorded in this survey on both market and non-market days was higher in the busiest part of town than any of our previous studies and also around 30 per cent higher than the national average.

“Bury St Edmunds has out-performed both the regional and national figures for that week, compared to the previous year.”

“Together with the most recent footfall data from our own monitoring showing that numbers for the year to date were up by nearly 8 per cent on 2022 this is very encouraging.

The study asked for feedback from those who visit or live in the town centre, as well as business owners.

Mr Cordell said: “From the public perspective our cafes and restaurants were very highly rated – significantly more so than the national average and at a similar level to previous years as a very valued aspect of the town centre.”

A record 99 per cent of respondents said they would recommend a visit to Bury to others.

On a typical visit to the town, 31 per cent said they spend between £10 and £20 but 44 per cent said they spend more than £20, which is 4 per cent higher than the average. 80 per cent of those questioned said they visited the town at least once a week.

Businesses said that turnover had been as ‘good or better’ in the last year for 85 per cent of businesses questioned, compared to 63 per cent nationally.

The survey also asked respondents for their views on where improvements could be made.

Car parking issues were highlighted by both users and businesses, as in previous years.

A number of respondents also commented on anti-social behaviour and suggested more visible policing in the town to reduce this.

Mark Cordell added: “The policing model for the town has changed in the last month and I have already met the new dedicated police officer who is committed to addressing anti-social behaviour including street drinking as a priority.

“I have also arranged for the Police and Crime Commissioner to visit Bury St Edmunds soon to meet business owners and hear any concerns, particularly concerning retail-related crime.

“Although parking is not an area that comes under the BID’s remit, I will be sharing the results of the survey with those responsible for parking at West Suffolk Council and continue to engage with the authority to bring concerns from business members to their attention.”

The survey findings include:

► A record 99 per cent of respondents (compared to 91 per cent in 2021) said they would recommend a visit to the town to others, which is 30 per cent higher than the national average.

► In terms of business confidence, 44 per cent of businesses reported they expected their turnover to increase in 2024 compared to 34 per cent nationally.

► Physical appearance, cleanliness, hospitality, cultural activities/events and retail offer all scored significantly higher as positives compared to other towns, according to BID.

► Convenience shopping and leisure were the two most popular reasons given for visiting the town centre – both more than 10 per cent higher than the national average.

► The aspect rated highest as a negative was car parking by 45 per cent of respondents, which is broadly in line with the national average.

Mr Cordell added: “I was especially pleased to see that around three quarters of the businesses who responded were positive about the work of the BID, particularly highlighting our marketing and free training courses for member businesses.”

He said the study gives cause for optimism for the local economy in 2024.

The study was carried out by researchers from People and Places Insight Ltd via online and face to face surveys.

Businesses were invited to participate via a postal or online response.