Shrewsbury shop owners say sunshine is bringing them new customers
Figures say sunny weather in April helped boost retail sales by 7% on last year
Business owners in Shrewsbury told us the warm weather in April has helped to bring in new customers to their shops.
It comes as figures from the British Retail Consortium say sunny weather in April helped boost retail sales by 7% on last year.
Has the warm weather helped shop owners in Shrewsbury?
'Pomona' grocery shop in Shrewsbury told us the warmer weather helped to increase her footfall:
"People are more inclined to wander a bit further a field when the weather is nice.
"I have had people come into the shop and tell me they have never been to this side of town, even though it is a small town," they said.
"The warm weather has been amazing"
The café owner at 'Iron and Fire' agreed: "One of our biggest challenges is our location, because we are at the quieter end of the town.
"The warm weather has been amazing. We have had a lot of people coming to the coffee shop asking for iced drinks," he said.
"There are a lot more chain stores popping up, making business difficult"
The owner of a shop selling hot roast pork sandwiches said he was worried about the future of the high street in Shrewsbury:
"Shrewsbury Town was well-known for having it's independent shops, but it is quickly losing that image. There are a lot more chain stores popping up, making business difficult."
Why are we spending more?
British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson said: "The sunniest April on record brought with it a boost to retail sales.
"While the stronger performance was partially a result of Easter falling in April this year, the sunshine prompted strong consumer spending across the board.
"Clouds loom on the horizon"
"But clouds loom on the horizon as new costs begin to bite. Even a strong April performance will do little to make up for the extra £7 billion facing the industry this year.
"Both employer national insurance contributions and the National Living Wage rose last month, and retailers face another £2 billion bill when a new packaging tax comes in later this year," they said.