Henley Britain’s No.2 in Vitality report for shopping destination
Henley-on-Thames has been named as Britain’s No.2 leading shopping location according to new Harper Dennis Hobbs research study ranking the nation’s best performing retail centres.
Henley came runner up to only Beaconsfield in being top of 1,000 retail centres compiled by strategic retail property consultancy, Harper Dennis Hobbs (HDH), jumping 26 places compared to last year’s rankings with Henley’s closest neighbour Marlow rising 10 places to 26 in the rankings.
According to several factors, the HDH Vitality Ranking determines the health of high streets and shopping centres, including the change in residents’ movement, vacancy rates, and suitability to local consumers’ demands.
Henley is one of many smaller, accessible, commuter-belt towns, which have outperformed city centre destinations as consumers’ shopping habits have become very localised as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend that is believed will continue for the first quarter of 2021 at the very least.
Henley has always been good at supporting and championing local business and it is shown to be apparent now more than ever in the current climate. With more people working from home it is a great opportunity to capitalise on the working disposable income.
| 2021 Rank | Retail Centre | Region | 2019 Rank | Change |
| 1 | Beaconsfield | South East | 64 | +63 |
| 2 | Henley-on-Thames | South East | 28 | +26 |
| 3 | Tenterden | South East | 39 | +36 |
| 4 | Wimbledon Village | Greater London Authority | 7 | +3 |
| 5 | Marlborough | South West | 10 | +5 |
| 6 | Sevenoaks | South East | 30 | +24 |
| 7 | Kingston upon Thames | Greater London Authority | 20 | +14 |
| 8 | Berkhamsted | East of England | 14 | +6 |
| 9 | Harpenden | East of England | 139 | +130 |
| 10 | Ilkley | Yorkshire and the Humber | 29 | +19 |
Andy Metherell, head of retail consultancy at HDH, explained:
“Our analysis is unique as we use variables that both consumers and retailers consider when assessing shopping locations to rank the top 1,000 retail centres in Great Britain. This Vitality Ranking looks very different from previous years as the ‘retail health’ of high streets across the country has seen contrasting fortunes since the start of the pandemic.
“The most vital retail centres currently provide services that are essential to people’s lives, such as grocers and pharmacies. These essential retailers have been able to trade throughout the strictest lockdowns, and consumers have not been willing or able to travel far to visit these stores. Shopping patterns have therefore changed significantly since the start of the pandemic, and consumers’ local high streets are benefitting at the expense of major destinations.”
