President 's Update: The retail run-in to Christmas and the impact of Plan B

Last night I hosted Solihull Chamber 'President 's drinks ' at Yakinori in Touchwood, complete with a sparkling wine tasting and Japanese canapes, writes Solihull Chamber president and Touchwood general manager Tony Elvin.

The original plan was to host drinks on the first-floor balcony of Touchwood, overlooking the bustling festivities of Christmas Shopping and Santa 's Grotto. Alas, new restrictions meant this would not be possible, so we were delighted that Yakinori were able to host us.

Had we been able to raise a glass together on the balcony, our guests would have been amazed to see just how well Touchwood is trading right now and it gives great hope, not only for Solihull but, for bricks and mortar retail in general.

Footfall has been trending at between 90-95 per cent of 2019 levels for the past three weeks, with retailer sales performances for two months in a row now at 95 per cent of 2019 levels too. As much of an optimist as I am, I wouldn 't have predicted this.

Thankfully, our tenant occupancy is on the rise too. Whilst Touchwood has not been immune to pandemic store and restaurant closures, those gaps are filling fast. We 're looking forward to welcoming some fantastic new stores and restaurants in the coming weeks, including TAG Heure, Polestar, Fair Parfum, Look Perfect, Alioli, Dirty Wild Wings, Caf� Emporio Artari and Handmade Burger on top of recent additions Laser Clinic, House of Tweed and Yankee Candles.

With tenant occupancy at 92 per cent right now, we 're looking to exceed pre pandemic occupancy at near 100 per cent by March with several other deals at an advanced stage.

So what impact will Plan B have on all this positive news?

As you likely know, Shopping Centres were already subject to the mandatory wearing of face coverings so there is little in the way of any practical difference to our operation. However, against the backdrop of cancelled Christmas parties and restaurants bookings, Springboard, the leading footfall counting software provider believes the impact on retail and hospitality venues could result in an erosion of footfall versus 2019 levels by a further ten percent. For Touchwood this could lead to a shortfall of 15-20 per cent, for the average UK shopping centre, we 're looking at something nearer 30 per cent.

Interestingly, the latest guidance makes provision for singing to take place indoors without the need for masks. Along with a reluctance to impose restrictions on the hospitality industry, this is another sign that the government are keen to champion the message that 'Christmas is not cancelled '. Personally, I believe this puts a greater responsibility on all of us to make sure we 're protecting our community by ensuring we 're vaccinated, boosted and testing regularly, if we 're out and about socialising.

Touchwood 's positive year so far is thanks to the support of Solihull people. We cannot thank you enough for shopping local and hope to repay your faith in us by delivering an ever more compelling retail and leisure environment.