City retains retail top spot

CAMBRIDGE topped the list in Newmark’s latest retail Vitality Rankings for 2025, rated as the UK’s best place for shops with its relatively affluent residents, student population and nighttime economy helping the city retain the top spot as the most thriving retail hub in Britain.

- By JOE SMITH AND ASHLEA HICKIN

Chelsea in London took second place, climbing up the rankings from 10th last time, thanks to its “aspirational” mix of shops, pubs and bars including high-end districts like Sloane Square.

Meanwhile, another London area, Kingston upon Thames came in third while Bath city centre secured fourth place followed by Bluewater shopping centre in Dartford, Wimbledon Village and Milton Keynes, reports the Mirror.

Completing the top ten were Knightsbridge in London, Leeds, and Westfield Stratford City.