WORCESTER'S High Street has bucked the national trend by seeing an increase in the number of visitors recorded – but the news comes as another city shop closed down.

The good news that the city's High Street enjoyed a rise of 0.3 per cent in footfall in 2018 compared to 2017, according to Worcester BID figures, has been tempered by Gift Company at Crowngate Shopping Centre closing down suddenly this week.

In comparison on footfall, cities across the country saw visitor numbers drop by -3.2 per cent year-on-year on average.

Visitor numbers in Worcester peaked in the run up to Christmas, at nearly 2.4million during December.

Worcester BID says its Christmas in Worcester campaign, supported by Crowngate Shopping Centre, Cathedral Square and Worcester City Council, attracted shoppers. There was also late-night shopping and free and discounted parking initiatives, and a marketing campaign to bring in shoppers.

Phoebe Dawson, Worcester BID chief executive, said: “I’m thrilled that Worcester continues to defy the downward spiral that other high streets are sadly facing.

“It’s undeniably a challenging time for businesses and consumers alike, but everyone is pulling together to come up with creative ways to ensure Worcester is an attractive place to visit and shop.”

Meanwhile there has been another shop closure at Crowngate, with the Gift Company shutting down.

The firm, which sells gifts and furniture and has stores across the UK, has vacated the unit, and put up signs informing customers of the closure.

Last year Carluccio’s restaurant and Rise record shop closed in Crowngate. Earlier this month the Worcester News reported that Hawkin’s Bazaar toy shop had announced it was holding a closing down sale.

Crowngate and Gift Company were unavailable for comment.