Castlepoint in Bournemouth saw a 46% rise in visitor numbers in December (in the first four weeks to 28 December, versus 2022) as the team reels from the success of its first-ever Christmas village, Festive Point. The footfall figures build on growth of 22% in visitor numbers in November 2023 versus November 2022.
Festive Point was procured in collaboration with local business, LED House to create a winter wonderland with a roller-skating rink, VR area, food and drinks stalls as well as the ‘main event’; Father Christmas handing out more than 3,000 gifts to young visitors at a magical elevator and grotto experience. Visitor numbers to this new festive attraction for Bournemouth are estimated to have surpassed 16,000 over the 18 days it was open.
It provided a fitting end to Castlepoint’s birthday year which was marked with a series of community and charity acts to beneficiaries across the community – in celebration of Castlepoint’s 20th anniversary. Badged “Project Positivity” – this philanthropic effort provided £15,000-worth of support – financial and in-kind, ranging from giving away weekly food shops to providing free IT support and from building racking for food banks to litter picking and beach cleans.
Project Positivity was instigated with a bid to deliver 20 acts of kindness within the community of which Castlepoint is proud to be an important part, giving back to local people 20 times in acknowledgement of Castlepoint’s twenty years here.
The big birthday also offered the perfect opportunity for a full rebrand, which has revitalised Castlepoint with its very own makeover.
A trio of big new brands arrived in 2023 that have been welcomed by shoppers – Holland & Barrett, Hotel Chocolat and Nike – and retailer interest in Castlepoint is stronger than ever. More new names are in negotiation which the team hopes will mean more new name announcements in the coming months.
The culmination of all of this has attracted record-breaking visitor numbers to Castlepoint, further reinforcing its position as one of the biggest retail destinations in the South.
Castlepoint centre manager, David Pickett, said: “Well what a year to look back on and it certainly has been a merry Christmas here at Castlepoint. Our team has worked tirelessly to provide a special festive experience for our shoppers and we are so glad to have been rewarded with extraordinary uplifts in visitor numbers as families come in their thousands.
“We are proud to be part of this wonderful community and look forward to making more improvements and enhancements in 2024, and hopefully launch some new stores too – watch this space! With the sales period now in full swing, there are some amazing discounts available at our 40-plus brands.”
