Milton Keynes drops to 24th on list of Britain's top shopping destinations amid Covid restrictions

Ranking is eight places lower than 2021 due to pandemic affecting travel and shopping habits
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Milton Keynes is one of Britain’s best locations for shopping, according to new research ranking the nation’s best performing retail centres.

Milton Keynes was placed at number 24 in the annual list of 1,000 retail centres compiled by strategic retail property consultancy, Harper Dennis Hobbs (HDH) - falling eight places compared to 2021’s rankings.

The HDH Vitality Ranking determines the health of high streets and shopping centres by analysing a number of factors, including vacancy rates, residents' movement and suitability to local consumer demands.

Midsummer Place and centre:mk make up Milton Keynes shopping centreMidsummer Place and centre:mk make up Milton Keynes shopping centre
Midsummer Place and centre:mk make up Milton Keynes shopping centre

Buckinghamshire market town Beaconsfield topped the list for a second successive year. Locations such as Beaconsfield and Henley-on-Thames have risen sharply since 2019, as consumer shopping habits have become more localised amid COVID-19 restrictions.

Top 10

1 Beaconsfield

2 Marlborough

Midsummer Place, above, and centre:mk, make up Milton Keynes shopping centreMidsummer Place, above, and centre:mk, make up Milton Keynes shopping centre
Midsummer Place, above, and centre:mk, make up Milton Keynes shopping centre

3 Wimbledon Village

4 Kingston upon Thames

5 Henley-on-Thames

6 Tenterden

7 Sevenoaks

8 Skipton

9 Reigate

10 Harpenden

Andy Metherell, head of retail consultancy at HDH, said: “The latest HDH Vitality Ranking reflects the realities that consumers and occupiers have had to face over the past year, and that continues into 2022. The Delta variant’s effect on public health and the uncertainty around the impact of the Omicron variant resulted in the continuation of restrictions on consumer movement and occupier trading, leading to our rankings being comparable to the listing in 2021.”

Small commuter towns, often with significant levels of wealth, retained their higher rankings this year, as remote working led to more localised consumer spending. Some larger centres rose in the ranking from 2021, many of which benefited from a significant increase in domestic tourism.

London commuter towns continue to dominate the top 25. However, as COVID-19 restrictions have eased, city centres have seen their fortunes improve.

Dan Hildyard, head of UK retail at HDH, added: “Throughout 2020 and much of 2021, the large traditional retail centres suffered as travel restrictions and evolving consumer behaviour resulted in more people shopping locally and through digital channels. However, as restrictions have eased, it is encouraging to see those city centres bouncing back and starting 2022 in a much stronger position than in 2021.

“As more people return to offices, even if via hybrid work schedules, I expect to see footfall increase in our city centres as more consumers seek out the shopping, leisure and cultural experiences they have missed out on over the past two years.”

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