Welsh capital takes best British high street award

Cardiff has taken the top spot in a new consumer survey to find Britain’s best high street.

Pinpointed for its accessibility and transportation links, Cardiff’s Queen Street took gold, with runners up including Eastgate Street in Chester, Church Street in Liverpool and Princes Street in Edinburgh.

Its closeness to historical landmarks and indoor shopping centres was also popular with participants.

But shoppers in the Welsh capital had mixed reactions to the news, with some saying they loved a trip to Queen Street, while others felt it wasn’t “like it used to be”.

Originally called Crockherbtown, Queen Street was renamed in honour of Queen Victoria in 1886 and pedestrianised in the mid-1970s to turn it into the street we know today.

The research by GlobalData for American Express pooled 2,000 consumers across the UK to whittle down what makes the best high street.

A mix of retailers topped shoppers’ wish lists (67%), with good parking a close second (62%).

Shoppers also appreciated independent pubs and restaurants, with over half saying these make a high street "great".

Kim Higgs, 66, and her granddaughter Caitlin Higgs, 15, said they weren't surprised to see Cardiff rank highly in the study.

As self confessed shopaholics, the pair said they "love" a trip to Cardiff as they can easily get the train from Pengam for their retail therapy.

"There are lots of shops here, we spend lots of money," she said.

From nights out to shopping and going to the rugby, Ms Higgs says she comes to the high street most weekends.

Others weren't so sure though.

Students Monisha Rajavelu, 22, and Florence Maskell, 22, admitted there are better high streets on offer, but the city's friendliness gives it the edge over the rest.

"It's definitely come a long way since my first year here," said Ms Maskell, who is now in her third year of study at Cardiff University.

Ms Rajavelu added there are "loads of great coffee shops" which is often why they visit, but they both agreed visitors have to head to the fruit markets too.

In second place was the central shopping streets of Gloucester, singled out for their independent restaurant scene, and taking the top spot for leisure options.

Eastgate Street in Chester took third place, which scored highly for its range of independent retailers and "overall aesthetic appeal".

The Top 10 most appealing high streets:

· Queen Street, Cardiff

· Gloucester’s central shopping streets

· Eastgate Street, Chester

· High Street, Winchester

· High Street, Exeter

· Princes Street, Edinburgh

· High Street, Worcester

· Church Street, Liverpool

· Buchanan Street, Glasgow

· Market Street, Manchester

Cardiff born Lisa Tawton, 44, didn't agree the city was quite worthy of the title though, putting Bath high street above the rest for it's prettiness.

"I wouldn't give it the title, but maybe it's because I'm from here," she said.

Ms Tawton said the arcades and St David's shopping centre have developed over the years but Queen Street "isn't like it used to be" and she misses the "old shops".

Matt Piner, head of retail consulting at GlobalData, said that high streets have to "continually adapt" to stay relevant.

"Our analysis shows millions of pounds of additional consumer spending could be unlocked for a typical high street that delivers on the factors shoppers care most about," he said.

GlobalData said that high streets considered eligible were those in a city with a "definable, primary out of doors shopping street" to ensure "fair comparisons" could be made.