The UK’s best high street has been revealed – with one particular sight standing out.
Reports over recent months have suggested the UK high street has already died a painful death. Retails giants like BHS and Woolworths have already succumbed to the surge of online shoppers, and independent coffee shops struggle to survive amidst the cost of living crisis.
But Queen Street in Cardiff, Wales, has proven otherwise, and was recently crowned the UK’s best high street by American Express. It comes after the banking giant surveyed 2,000 people to find out exactlty what shoppers were looking for during their day of retail therapy.
Most (67 per cent) of respondents favoured a mix of retailers, while good parking (62 per cent), independent pubs and restaurants (52 per cent) and entertainment options like cinemas and theatres (36 per cent) where all listed as important factors.
Researchers scored Queen Street, renamed in honour of Queen Victoria, best for accessibility and transport links – but its close proximity to a stunning historical landmark also earned it some extra brownie points.
Home to a Poundland, WHSmith’s, Ann Summers, and a 24-hour McDonald’s, Queen Street also hosts a slew of small coffee shops and eateries. The whole shopping area is wholly pedestrianised and just a stone’s throw from a train station.
It also offers rare views of the grand Cardiff Castle, originally built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort. Tickets for the Victorian mansion start at £15.50 for an adult, and £10.50 for children, and can be purchased online.
Local Nicola Day, who manages the Cardiff Creative shop in Queen street with her daughter, said: “It’s a really great street with a castle at one end. There are just two empty shops, which is certainly not the case on lots of high streets in Wales.”
Nicola says entertainment is often put on at the weekend as swathes of locals and tourists take to the streets. She added: “There are a decent number of independent shops as well as the biig chain. We’re proud of the city.”
Queen Street out ranked Gloucester’ central shopping streets, as well as Eastgate in Chester, Church Street in Liverpool, and Princes Street in Edinburgh. Surprisingly, London failed to make the top 10, and came 16th place for King’s Road in Chelsea.
Dan Edelman of American Express, said:”Each of the top locations identified by our research offer exceptional retail experiences blended with choices to socialise and relax.”