Soho has been named one of the top five best places in the UK for independent shops, according to new research. The area is the only London location to feature in the top ten.
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.
Top five ranking
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.
The west London appearance on the list may come as a surprise, amid alarming headlines about the number of mobile phone thefts and tourism crimes in the West End. However, Soho does account for many of the capital's most unique retail spots, including independent boutiques and eccentric artisan stores.
What the research found
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.”
Recent controversy
Soho has hit headlines recently following proposals by Westminster City Council to curb drinkers standing at West End pubs. The central London council sparked fury when its new draft licensing policy recommended that more venues should reduce standing at pubs. But the proposal has been received badly by punters and pub owners.
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.”
Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan has also waded into the row, describing the proposal as nimbyism. 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.”
