Data shows there has been no decrease in footfall in Wokingham town centre.
Responding to a question from Cllr Jackie Rance saying the experiences of businesses in the town is very different, Cllr Clive Jones, executive member for business and economic development, said sensors in the town pointed to an increase in pedestrians from 2020 until 2023.
He said:”We want to encourage people to use our town centres. That is why we are providing free bus travel on the six Saturdays leading up to Christmas, and for the Winter Carnival.
“I understand the very real pressures on our retailers and, indeed, all businesses.
“The pressure has been massively increased by the cost of living crisis.”
He added that average households in Wokingham are as much as £6,000 per year worse off.
“That’s money they cannot spend in our town.”
He also promised to publish details of like-for-like parking ticket data once it became available.
