Smart devices used to track Christmas footfall in town centres
Official data reveals visitor numbers in November and December
Last updated 7th Feb 2023
It looks as if the Christmas lights in the town centres of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole provided a boost to retailers.
Official data shows attractions like the Christmas Tree Wonderland in Bournemouth helped pull in more than 8.8 million people in November and December.
Christchurch welcomed over 2.77 million visitors over the festive period.
A further 5.75 million people were drawn to Poole, visiting the town centre and the new Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival.
The footfall figures are based on the movement of smart devices rather than just at fixed points in a very limited area which has been used in previous years.
BCP Council said the method ensured greater accuracy and understanding of trends.
Councillor Philip Broadhead, deputy leader of BCP Council said: "The local economy is currently facing significant pressures.
"While the rail strikes and freezing temperatures in December may have kept some people away from our town centres alongside the general cost of living worries, people were still keen to enjoy the Christmas festivities and visit our area."