South Lanarkshire shoppers’ habits have changed less during coronavirus lockdown than elsewhere in UK, Google data reveals

Most people are following the government's advice to stay at home, however South Lanarkshire's footfall was less than others! Image: Archive picture

NHS England’s medical director said people are continuing to follow government guidance to stay at home but warned now is not the time to get complacent.

Google’s figures, which use location data to chart trends in people’s movement, show footfall at retail and recreation establishments fell by 78% in South Lanarkshire in the six weeks to the end of March compared to two months earlier.

The average reduction across the UK was 85%, when compared to a previous five-week period at the start of the year.

Only a small number of places have witnessed a smaller drop-off, with Scotland home to eight of the bottom 10.

The British Independent Retailers Association said many successful businesses were fighting for survival, predicting that consumers’ increased use of online shopping is a trend that is here to stay.

Chief executive officer Andrew Goodacre said independent shops have already had to show great resilience and flair, utilising online deliveries to stay in business.

“However, we are also seeing many more previously successful businesses closed down and fighting for survival,” he said.

“It is good to see the government initiatives that have been taken but we are concerned that the support is not reaching the retailer quick enough.”

Though there is no fixed date for when the lockdown will end and social distancing rules relaxed, Mr Goodacre said habits have already been formed and internet sales will continue to trump the High Street.

Where once they represented 20% of all retail sales, they now make up 85% and are “unlikely to come back down very quickly after the crisis”, he added.

Google’s figures also show a 14% rise in activity in places of residence in South Lanarkshire compared to a 54% reduction in places of work, as more people work from home.

Visits to public transport hubs were also down by 57% – but this was below the UK average of 75%.

Stephen Powis, NHS England’s medical director, said we are “continuing to see people adhering” to government policy – particularly on public transport.

Speaking recently at a daily coronavirus press conference, he said: “The sun might be out, but that doesn’t mean you should be out. We all need to make sure we resist the temptation, whatever the weather.

“This is not the time to be complacent and to take our foot off the pedal. We need to continue to comply with the instructions because that will continue to translate into a reduction in the number of hospitalisations.”

South Lanarkshire also saw 38% less footfall at groceries and pharmacies, and 6% less in parks and green spaces.

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said using anonymous data like this from Google, “will help improve our understanding of the impact social distancing measures are having.”