Just one London area makes top ten list of best UK hotspots for independent shops

Soho has been named one of the top five best places in the UK for independent shops, according to new research.

A survey carried out by retail property consultancy JDM Retail assessed hundreds of thousands of customer reviews to find the best places in the UK for shopping.

Edinburgh's Grassmarket topped the survey for its array of quirky, indie stores, followed in second place by the market town of Shrewsbury, and York's The Shambles at the number three spot, The Times reports.

Sheffield's Devonshire Quarter came in at number four while Soho just notched it in the top five.

However, Soho does account for many of the capital's most unique retail spots, including independent boutiques and eccentric artisan stores.

A JDM Retail spokesman said: “The findings suggest that independent businesses perform best when they are encouraged to cluster, creating distinctive destinations that complement — rather than compete directly with — prime retail.”

It added "character quarters" with historic buildings “can help towns and cities strengthen their independent economy whilst reinforcing local identity”.

Analysts used a range of criteria to assess the areas, including the ratio of independent retailers - as well as rating high streets for their diversity, longevity and most of all, quality.

Jonathan De Mello, chief executive of JDM Retail, said: “It is independent retailing that adds colour and difference to a location, and the top high streets on this list are the very antithesis of the ‘clone towns’ we so often see up and down the UK.”

The owner of Soho’s famous French House said the policy would lead to closures, redundancies, and loss of business. Lesley Lewis, 71, who has owned the pub for 37 years, said the policy “will kill the whole business.”

“It will really finish us off. We rely on those people standing up with the rents and the rates put upon us. People want to enjoy themselves in Soho, they want to have a drink outside, they want to dance, they don’t want to sit down and just be where they are, they want to meet people and chat.”

He wrote on X: “Complaining about nightlife when you *checks notes* choose to live in Soho is like living in South Kensington and complaining about the museums.”