'Retail is not dead!': Skegness Hildreds shopping centre records third largest footfall increase in the UK
Skegness’ Hildreds shopping centre is celebrating after recording the third largest footfall increase in the UK.
As the centre prepares for next week’s World Book Day with a new ‘Duggie’ bench for customers to sit and relax and enjoy adventures from its Professor Hildreds magic book shelf, Hildreds has its own good news story that latest statistics from MRI Software’s latest show it attracted 10% more visitors than the previous year.
This places it behind only Victoria Shopping Centre in Southend (12%) and Market Place in Bolton (11%).
Centre manager Steve Andrews said it was proof that retail is not dead. He said: “I am absolutely thrilled that Hildreds had the third largest footfall increase of +10% across all shopping centres in the UK.
"Last year was our busiest since the end of the pandemic, and sales also ended the year up by an average of +8.8%.”
Hildreds welcomed a gross footfall of 9,304,082 visitors in 2025 alone, an increase of 260,000 on the previous year, a huge achievement for an 86,686 sq ft centre.
The shopping centre first opened at Easter 1988, officially inaugurated by magician Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee. Originally home to 21 shops — including Evans, Burtons, H Samuels, Dolland & Acheson, WH Smith, Wilkos, and Skegness Standard — Hildreds has grown to 29 shops today, with only one vacant unit.
The centre’s success has also been recognised nationally. In November 2025, Hildreds won two Sceptre Awards, for both the regional and UK Community Initiative of the Year. Mr Andrews highlighted the centre’s ongoing commitment to the local community:
“We have lots of free events planned for 2026, which we hope will further increase Hildreds’ popularity and sustain growth throughout the year,” he said.
"We also have some exciting new shops in the pipeline, which we’ll announce once leases are signed.”
With a mix of historic charm and modern retail, Hildreds continues to thrive as a key shopping destination for both locals and visitors to Skegness, demonstrating the town’s growing appeal as a retail and leisure hub.