Bosses at Oswestry’s Business Improvement District (BID) say they are now in place to start counting football in the town.

The move was confirmed by Adele Nightingale, from BID, who said the organisation, which works with business in town, can identify where shoppers are, and not, going each day.

She believes the information gathered will have a huge impact on future planning for the town.

“Although it has taken longer than originally planned due to obtaining permissions and, of course Covid-19, Oswestry BID has now completed Phase I of its Footfall Counting System,” she said.

“We’ll not only be able to track the number of visitors per day, even per hour, we will also be able to assess dwell time, where the ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ spots are, and what impact events really have on footfall.

“This information will be useful to encourage inward investment as many businesses looking to take on new premises or start up in a town need to understand what the footfall is, even down to a particular area within the town.

“It may also help businesses and agencies like the police plan their staffing levels as we’ll have a real understanding of how footfall moves around town.

“Oswestry BID levy payers will have access to this information through a report to be circulated monthly. Highlights will also be presented on our website OneOswestry.co.uk in the form of a dashboard.

“We are pushing on with Phase II which will add to the sensor units already in operation to provide some additional coverage, ensuring that we’ve included all the key points of entry to Oswestry Town Centre.

“This is a really exciting project and if anyone wants to have more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me at adele.nightingale@oswestry4bid.co.uk”