Brighouse’s businesses are saying a huge thank you to residents, shoppers and visitors as new footfall figures show an increase in January despite major disruption to parts of the town centre.
The Town Deal construction works began on 12 January, but analysis of the counters which record those who came to the town centre shows an increase of 9% on the numbers who visited in January last year.
Over the past few weeks, there has been a huge effort from the town’s shops, venues and businesses, supported by the BID, to make the case that the town remains open for business as normal.
It appears to have had an impact with Brighouse out-performing other towns in Calderdale and other parts of the country. The footfall figures show, across the UK, average January town centre footfall was down 3%; it was down 5% in Halifax and down 8% in Elland.
An average of nearly 58,000 people visited Brighouse each week in January 2026 compared to 52,810 in the same period last year.
Lesley Adams, town centre retailer and chair of the BID, said:
“This is only the first few weeks of the disruption, and I know there will be huge challenges ahead, but it is really positive that people are still coming to Brighouse to shop and enjoy our town. We really need that support to continue in the weeks and months ahead.
“I also completely appreciate that these numbers will not tell the full story and it won’t feel positive for many businesses and shops – some parts of our town, where the roads are closed and on street parking isn’t available – will be facing bigger challenges than others.
“Plus, despite these positive numbers for January, the town faces the prospect of increases in parking charges and a reduction in the times parking is free. These are changes the BID, and every town centre business we’ve spoken to, think are the wrong ones and at the wrong time. We continue to call on Calderdale Council to reverse these to give us a fighting chance for the future.
“January’s footfall numbers show that Brighouse is strong and resilient and we have huge support from residents, shoppers and visitors. We are so thankful to everyone for keeping coming to Brighouse and ask the Council to do their bit and listen to our concerns to ensure that continues.”