Shoppers numbers down 9.9 per cent

The latest figures from customer counting company FootFall show shopper numbers fell 6.3 per cent for the week ending January 14, against the previous week. The figure was also 9.9 per cent down against the same period in 2006. Footfall blamed a combination of last week's interest rate hike and speculation about further rises for the downbeat result.

FootFall spokeswoman Natasha Burton said: 'With the January sales well under way, the next week would normally see a glut of consumers on the high street. It will be interesting to see how far-reaching the effect of the interest rate rise will be.'