The Spring town centre footfall figures show a 60% increase in visitors to the Market Place compared to last October, when the £800,000 revamp was underway. The second biggest increase was the Arcade, up 35% on last autumn.

The survey records passers-by at 30 spots around town, and 16 saw extra passing trade in May, while 14 were down on the previous survey. Overall numbers were up 2%, after an 11% drop was recorded during the height of disruption in Northbrook Street in May 2006.

Other than the Market Place, there was good news for Bartholomew Street South and the Broadway, which saw the biggest rises in footfall. This is likely to be related to the occupation of former Vodafone offices behind the Nag’s Head by Sovereign Housing, and the transfer of 150 Vodafone staff from Theale to the Broadway.

The best hotspot to catch passing trade remains on the Town Bridge, followed by Kitchenmonger in Bartholomew Street, and by Hinds Jewellers in the Kennet Centre.

The worst continues to be in Cheap Street, by Threshers in the Broadway, and in the Arcade, which has just 6000 people a week passing through, compared to 85,000 crossing the canal bridge.