Workplaces in Barrow were quieter during the first week without Covid restrictions than in the previous seven days, data suggests, despite the Government's work from home guidance coming to an end.

Business leaders say the emergence of hybrid working models – encouraging a mix of home and on-site working – could be behind a slight fall in activity in workplaces across England following “Freedom Day” on July 19.

Google uses location data from phones and other personal devices to track trends in people's movement in different parts of their daily lives. It compares footfall in five areas outside of the home – retail and recreation, supermarkets and pharmacies, parks, public transport and workplaces – to a five week-baseline period recorded before the Covid-19 crisis.

In Barrow, average activity in workplaces was 29 per cent below normal levels in the week commencing July 19.

This was down from 25 per cent below during the previous week, when the Government’s instruction to work from home where possible was in place.

Google data for the week ending July 25 in Barrow shows:

Activity in retail and recreation establishments was 6% below normal levels – up from 8 per cent below the week before

In supermarkets and grocery stores, it was 15 per cent above usual – down from 16 per cent above in the previous week

It was 17 per cent below the baseline on public transport – up from 20 per cent below the week before