FOOTFALL for Brighouse businesses has increased in the first few weeks of the year, despite disruption from major town centre improvement works now under way.
Brighouse Town Deal works began over a month ago on January 12.
Businesses are saying a “huge thank you” to customers who are continuing to support them despite some inconvenience.
Town business support organisation Brighouse BID (business improvement district) says analysis of the counters which record those who came to the town centre shows a nine per cent increase on the number of people 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, says the organisation.
This has had some effect, with Brighouse out-performing other towns in Calderdale and other parts of the country, says Brighouse BID.
Footfall figures show, across the UK, average January town centre footfall was down three per cent and it was down five per cent in Halifax and down eight per cent in Elland, they claim.
An average of nearly 58,000 people visited Brighouse each week in January 2026 compared to 52,810 in the same period last year, says the organisation.
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,” she said.
January’s footfall numbers show that Brighouse is “strong and resilient” with huge support from residents, shoppers and visitors, said Ms Adams.
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“We are so thankful to everyone for keeping coming to Brighouse and ask Calderdale Council to do their bit and listen to our concerns to ensure that continues,” she said.
The town centre improvements are funded from Brighouse’s £19.1 million Town Deal funding.
