CHESTER’S Eastgate Street is among the most appealing high streets in the county, according to a new study.

Research commission by American Express with retail experts GlobalData has revealed that the city has a winning mixture of retailers, pubs, restaurants and entertainment venues placing it third in a top 10 of Britain’s best high streets.

Chester was praised for its variety of independent and specialist retails and its overall aesthetic appeal, with the Rows and other historic features also highlighted.

The city also ranked number one in the ‘independent retail’ category.

Queen Street in Cardiff topped the list, with Gloucester’s central shopping streets ranked second. Completing the top five were High Street in Winchester and High Street in Exeter.

Princes Street in Edinburgh ranked sixth, with High Street, Worcester, Liverpool’s Church Street, Glasgow’s Buchanan Street and Market Street in Manchester also making the top 10.

GlobalData conducted an online survey during May 2024, with a nationally representative sample size of 2,000 UK consumers, asking people how they feel about their high street, and which factors they feel contribute to a great high street generally.

Factors such as an attractive mix of retailers topped shoppers’ wish list (67%), with good parking a close second (62%). Shoppers also prize independent pubs and restaurants, with over half (52%) saying these make a high street ‘great’. The magnetism of locations with ample entertainment and leisure options such as cinemas and theatres, was highlighted by over a third (36%). Proximity to a train station and green spaces were deemed as less important by shoppers.

The research also revealed that almost three quarters (73%) of shoppers believe their local high street will remain important to their everyday lives in 10 years’ time.

For the top 10 locations, on-site visits were conducted by GlobalData’s consultants to rate them across a broader range of factors, which included aesthetic appeal, vacancy rates and accessibility.

Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “Each of the top locations identified by our research offer exceptional retail experiences blended with choices to socialise and relax. Consumers continue to value our high streets and believe they will remain important well into the future. While there is no one solution to guarantee ongoing success, it’s encouraging to see there are plenty of opportunities for collaboration to help deliver this winning formula.”

Matt Piner, Head of Retail Consulting at GlobalData, added: “With consumer expectations and shopping habits evolving at pace, high streets are having to continuously adapt to stay relevant. The locations getting it right benefit from higher footfall and spend; in fact, our analysis shows millions of pounds of additional consumer spending could be unlocked for a typical high street that delivers on the factors shoppers care most about.”