The lack of footfall on Gorleston's High Street is due to recent business closures, said the chair of a traders' association.

Kevin Huggins, owner of Fusion Hair Consultants and chair of the Gorleston Traders' Association, said despite the Easter holiday, trade on the high street remains low.

This comes as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer visited the area last week to annouce his party's plan to reinvigorate the high street.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visited Great Yarmouth last week to announce Labour's five-point plant to revitalise the high street. Picture - Sonya DuncanSir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visited Great Yarmouth last week to announce Labour's five-point plant to revitalise the high street. Picture - Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Huggins suggested the reason for the area's lack of footfall is linked with the recent closures of Barclays, Belly Boos and Sentiments.

"Every shop that shuts affects the whole high street," said Mr Huggins.

"The biggest killer has been the loss of banks. With closures, people will lose the will to go to the high street.

"And that's what's happening."

Mr Huggins said that while High Street saw more visitors during the Easter holidays, business remained slow due to visitors heading to the seafront during good weather and the ongoing cost of living.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Tracy Russen, owner of Sentiments on Gorleston High Street, closed the doors in March. Picture - NewsquestTracy Russen, owner of Sentiments on Gorleston High Street, closed the doors in March. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

"Shoppers are having to tighten their pursestrings, while businesses still face rises in rates and energy bills," Mr Huggins said.

"The high street needs major investment.

"But I'm hopeful we'll buck the trend and get it back eventually." 

Over in Great Yarmouth, town centre manager Jonathan Newman said overall footfall is getting stronger, but still not to that of pre-pandemic levels.

Mr Newman said: "The town centre saw a significant increase in footfall two weeks ago against the same seven days to the Easter weekend last year.

"The town centre footfall has been improving over the last couple of months, with both February and March showing healthy increases on last year. Whilst not quite up to the pre-pandemic levels at 34pc and 16pc respectively, it is moving in the right direction."

Mr Newman said the daily average number of visitors to the town centre was now at over 8,500, whereas last year it was around 6,300.