21 Jan 2022 V&A WATERFRONT RECORDS IMPROVED TRADING OVER DECEMBER FESTIVE SEASON The Waterfront experienced increased footfall and trade over the traditional festive December period, mainly due to easing of Covid-related restrictions. This also translated into improved performance around the same time in 2020 but far behind our last normal pre-Covid in 2019. December footfall numbers reached just over 2.2 million visitors, a 30% improvement on 2020 figures but 34% percent down on 2019. Daily visitor numbers peaked with average daily footfall of 79k people per day over the Christmas and New Year’s Day period. New Year’s Eve saw people returning to the Waterfront because of the relaxation in curfew times and as a result we saw almost 100k people in a single day, however the change in the curfew times was made literally days before New Year’s Eve, making it impossible to plan or organise significant people-attracting events. Annual footfall numbers for the V&A property as a whole reached just nearly 15.6 million visitors, a 9% increase from the same period in 2020, but 41% down from 2019. At the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, December footfall was 47.8% better than November in absolute numbers as it benefits from the school holidays and traditional festive shopping. Restaurants were also able to take advantage of the good weather. Improved trade towards the tail-end of December was driven by a strong influx of domestic travellers from across all provinces who chose to holiday in Cape Town this year. The fastest growing sport in the world is coming to our neighbourhood Padel as is popularly known is a hybrid between tennis and squash. It’s easy to play and lots of fun. There are more than 10 million people playing this amazing sport in over 60 countries across the globe. Very soon the V&A will be home to Africa Padel for everyone to enjoy a game and have a great workout. The courts are nearing completion and will be ready to open in February. The entrance is in Portswood Road, located opposite Deloitte’s new offices off Helen Suzman Drive For more details you can go to Instagram @africapadel.com, website or contact 063 960 9784. We hope to see you on the padel court soon. What’s on in the neighbourhood: Live at Makers: Making Salsa (social dancing) – Makers Landing (22 Jan) Visit our website for more details and the full events schedule. Weekly footfall update As expected in mid-January numbers drop off from the highs of the Festive season as holiday season draws to a close. Our daily visitor numbers are currently sitting at 44k people per day. This is likely to ease off with the return to school and then pick up again as we get closer to payday and benefit from the warmer weather which should see many families keen on exploring the outdoors.
