Leeds City Centre footfall soars by 28.4% year on year on UKREiiF’s peak event day

As towns and cities across the UK look for ways to boost local economies and re-energise high streets, the strategic value of cultural and industry events has never been clearer. At this year’s UKREiiF, footfall monitoring technology was used to monitor specific areas of the event site enabling real-time insights into visitor behaviour, movement patterns, and overall engagement. But what’s even more striking is the ripple effect events like this have on the wider city centre. 

At UKREiiF, MRI Software’s OnLocation technology played a critical role in delivering accurate, high-resolution footfall data. The implementation of the technology allowed organisers to track visitor numbers both overall and by individual activation zones, monitor real-time occupancy levels for the Pontoon exhibition space, and understand how people moved throughout the site. What made this deployment so impactful was the ability to link on-site data with citywide footfall patterns, giving stakeholders a complete picture of the event’s reach and influence. 

By harnessing real-time data, event organisers and city centre place makers can better prepare for future events, optimising everything from crowd flow and staffing to safety and promotions. More importantly, it provides a strong framework for demonstrating the economic and social value of live events across UK towns and cities. 

During the week of the event, footfall trends in Leeds City Centre rose by 9.8% compared to the same period last year, clearly demonstrating the power of major events to drive increased foot traffic and economic activity. Footfall began to climb on Tuesday, with a 4.7% increase, and surged on Wednesday, which saw a 28.4% uplift, the highest of the week. By Thursday, numbers levelled out, maintaining parity with the previous year, indicating sustained interest in the event. 

In comparison to the week prior, Leeds City Centre saw a 4.2% average increase in footfall. This may seem modest, but it represents a strong momentum builder, especially given the larger 9.8% increase when compared to the same week in the previous year. 

Wednesday emerged as the key day for both week on week and year on year comparisons suggesting that midweek activations at UKREiiF were likely the most compelling drivers of footfall, coinciding with flagship sessions or social events. 

What’s particularly interesting is how the increase in activity extended beyond traditional business hours. Footfall data revealed a 12.3% rise in activity post-5pm, outpacing the 8.7% uplift seen during standard daytime hours (6am–5pm). This suggests that UKREiiF not only brought more people into the city centre but also encouraged them to stay longer with hosted events, boosting evening economy sectors such as hospitality, dining, and entertainment.

We’ve always believed in the cultural impact UKREiiF brings to Leeds, but seeing a 28.4% surge in city centre footfall on Wednesday alone really proves its economic power. The fact that footfall not only rose during the day but also spiked into the evening shows that events like ours don’t just fill conference rooms—they energise the entire city, from local shops to late-night venues. That’s the kind of citywide benefit we aim to deliver.

-Nathan Spencer, Managing Director at UKREiiF

For event organisers, this data is invaluable if they are seeking to optimise layout and engagement. Local authorities, businesses and hotels in the area also benefit as they aim to quantify the return on investment of hosting such events. 

Events like UKREiiF are more than just industry gatherings, they are catalysts for citywide economic uplift. The data shows clear increases in footfall, especially midweek and into the evening, bringing life and energy into the heart of Leeds. These insights help us better understand the tangible benefits of hosting high-impact events and support our long-term strategy to position Leeds as a dynamic, thriving destination for business and culture alike.

– Mark Durham, Head of City Centre Management at Leeds City Council. 

As competition grows to attract high-impact events, the ability to back their success with clear, actionable data is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s essential. That’s the power of MRI’s AI-driven platform: turning real-time data into strategic insight that supports future event planning and city centre growth.