Overseas visitors spending increase in UK

Overseas visitors spend a massive 4.5 billion pounds

shopping in the UK according to research released today by VisitBritain.

This means that 25 percent of all expenditure by overseas visitors is on the UK’s high streets and department stores.

The VisitBritain survey reveals that the majority of the shopping spend was on clothes, with expenditure totalling 2.3 billion pounds.

Sandie Dawe, chief executive at VisitBritain said: "Shopping in Britain is seen around the world as a positive and welcoming experience, and one of the things VisitBritain promotes to encourage visitors. It’s not just purchasing designer goods at Harrods, or rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous on Chelsea’s King’s Road that lures visitors to the UK - a huge number also make the trip to seek out bargains, whether it’s finding the best deals on designer goods at Bicester Village and the McArthurGlen Retail Outlets, or hitting the high street in Edinburgh or Manchester.

"Our shopping experience is world class, with high quality, desirable British brands enticing international visitors at all times of the year and providing real value for money against our competitors."