A landmark new report has unveiled what people truly want from their High Street, as towns and cities across the country struggle to attract shoppers. The study highlights that a bakery, free parking, and independent coffee shops top the list of desired venues for a vibrant town centre.
What People Want
Other venues on the wish list include a bank, a cash point, independent restaurants, a butcher, a supermarket, a chemist, and cafes. Shoppers also expressed a desire for well-known chains like Greggs, M&S, and Boots.
What People Want Less Of
When asked what they want less of, respondents cited vape shops, boarded-up units, gambling arcades, bookmakers, tanning salons, and chain coffee shops. The data comes from Voices of Retail, a new report by Faire and Spring & Autumn Fair, which surveyed 2,040 UK shoppers alongside 650 UK retailers.
Community Heartbeat
Charlotte Broadbent, UK General Manager at Faire, said: “For most people, their local high street is still the heart of their community, and what surprised us most is just how strong that demand remains. Over the last 20 years, retailers have faced constant challenges, from the rise of online shopping to investment shifting towards out-of-town retail parks. But despite that, shoppers are still choosing to support their high street, particularly independent businesses.”
Half of people say their local high street is still an important part of their community. According to the poll, we spend an average of £66 a month on our local high street, with nearly all saying they would spend more if it offered a better mix of shops.
Independent Retailers Thriving
Seven in ten independent retailers are reporting stable or growing trade, with nearly two in five actively expanding despite ongoing economic pressures. Jackson Szabo, Portfolio Director at Hyve Group, added: “There’s no denying the pressure the high street has been under – rising costs, changing habits and years of disruption have taken their toll. But what this data shows is that the story isn’t one of lost demand, it’s one of missed opportunity.”
Top 20 Desired Features on a Dream High Street
- Bakeries – 70%
- Free parking – 69%
- Independent coffee shops – 59%
- A bank – 58%
- A cash point – 57%
- Independent restaurants – 57%
- Butchers – 55%
- A supermarket – 52%
- Chemist – 50%
- Cafés – 48%
- Independent bars – 45%
- Hairdressers – 45%
- Quirky gift shops – 43%
- Takeaway shops – 41%
- Greggs – 41%
- Independent book shops – 41%
- Barbers – 40%
- M&S – 40%
- Boots – 39%
- Longer opening hours – 36%
Top 10 Things People Want Less Of
- Vape shops – 68%
- Empty/boarded-up shop units – 66%
- Gambling arcades – 52%
- Bookmakers – 45%
- Payday loan shops/cash converters – 41%
- Tanning salons – 36%
- Phone repair and accessory shops – 31%
- Fast food takeaways – 26%
- Charity shops – 23%
- Chain coffee shops – 19%
