Businesses in Knowsley’s town centres have enjoyed a surge in footfall over recent weeks thanks to the Summer of Family Fun.
The programme of free family-friendly events and activities in Huyton, Kirkby and Prescot town centres has helped drive significant visitor numbers during the summer holidays.
From dinosaurs and circus performers to magical storybook characters, live entertainment and interactive workshops, the Summer of Fun has been serving up family-friendly activities in all three of Knowsley’s town centres.
Visitor numbers
The dinosaur takeover was held in Prescot on Saturday 25 July and attracted excellent feedback from visitors and the public. Footfall in the town centre was up 43% compared to the previous Saturday, equating to around 2,500 more people in Prescot on that day.
The Greatest Showman-inspired ‘Come Alive Spectacular’ held in Huyton Village Centre on Saturday 1 August helped attract around 1,500 more visitors than the previous four Saturdays, an increase in footfall of around 14%.
And it has been a similar picture in Kirkby Town Centre, with events such as the Circus Spectacular and the fan-fest of popular characters attracting hundreds more to the town centre than a typical Saturday. Event days have produced a 13% increase in footfall compared to Saturdays without events during the summer.
Tricia Ackers from Renaissance Skincare and Beauty in Prescot said: “Prescot as a town centre is compact and accessible to all, and there is no better way to show this off than when we have the flurry of excitement of the town centre events.
“Due to the lay out of the centre, it has the capacity to really bring the whole town together, meaning the whole of Eccleston Street and side roads absolutely come alive.
“We are fortunate also to have areas that allow static entertainment for a higher capacity audience to watch the entertainment, on Leyland Street and Market Place.
“The events really raise the profile of the town. Footfall is massively increased and the area is shown off in such a good light. This then has a really positive effect on all the local businesses. People have the opportunity to see what Prescot has to offer and are more likely to come back and enjoy our facilities, allowing our town to thrive and develop.”
Summer of Fun
There’s still lots to look forward to in our three town centres as part of the Summer of Family Fun programme, including events and activities taking place this Saturday 15 August. Find out more here.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “The fantastic programme of activities in our town centres has created a really lively atmosphere and we’ve delighted to welcome so many visitors to Huyton, Kirkby and Prescot town centres. This has only been good for our town centre businesses as we’ve been able to showcase everything our town centres have to offer.”