The beautiful market town that boasts the 'UK's best high street' - 500 independent shops

Locals say their "stand out" high street with hundreds of independent shops "keeps people coming back". Shrewsbury’s high street was named the best in the UK by The Telegraph, which called it a “beacon of light piercing the gloom” with a healthy selection of quirky and independent businesses that give shoppers a “fine reason to escape the tyranny of Amazon”.

Residents have said they're proud of their town and how well it's doing. “Shrewsbury is a special, historic town – largely unspoiled by the failed regeneration efforts of the 60s – and we’re proud to be part of its living history," Andrew Prow, of Halon Menswear, which can trace its Shrewsbury roots back to the 1800s, said.

He explained the closure of national department stores appears to have encouraged customers to “rediscover local, independent businesses with deep roots in the community”.

Shrewsbury, a market town in Shropshire, is famous for its cobbled medieval streets, vibrant cafe culture, and its cakes. The birthplace of Charles Darwin, the town has 76,782 inhabitants and more than 500 independent retailers and hospitality venues.

That's what "makes the town centre really stand out," said Seb Slaterk, executive director at Shrewsbury BID.

He told the Express: “Nestled within the loop of the River Severn and home to over 600 listed buildings, the town centre offers a truly unique and enjoyable experience that keeps people coming back time and again.”

Shrewsbury’s independent retailers outnumber big chains by almost half. There are endless boutiques and quirky independents, all tucked away in shuts and passages.

Mr Slaterk said that the efforts of businesses, the Business Improvement District (BID), and the local councils to run impactful campaigns and initiatives ensure that Shrewsbury “enjoys strong footfall and vacancy rates that remain well below the national average, with a continuous stream of new businesses keen to open here.”

He added: “Shrewsbury serves a wide customer catchment area extending across Shropshire and mid Wales alongside a growing visitor economy that strengthens our reputation as a leading regional destination.”

This comes as high street shops are continuing to close across the UK. The Centre for Retail Research predicts around 17,350 store closures for the year, up from 2024's 13,000 closures.

Major retailers like Poundland, River Island, and Hobbycraft are closing stores, citing rising costs, shifting customer habits towards online shopping, and high business rates as primary reasons.

Pollyanna Williams, of Snoop, said there’s “nothing better” than being part of “such a wonderful community” of fellow small businesses, which “make the town thrive”.

Williams added: “We’re into our third year now, and every month continues to get better, which I’m so thankful for. We may be biased, but Shrewsbury definitely has the best customers.”

Shrewsbury is also home to lots of attractions, including the prison, Flaxhill Maltings, the Abbey, the Library, Coleham Pumping Station, the Square, the Castle, Morris Hall, The Quarry Park, and the River Severn.

The Market Hall has been named Britain’s favourite market for an “unprecedented” third year running and fourth time overall at the Great British Market Awards.

Commercial, markets and events manager at the town council, Ian Thorpe, said: “Shrewsbury Market Hall is a treasured asset that will celebrate its 60th anniversary this September.

“Our fantastic traders provide an eclectic shopping experience for both residents and tourists. This is another great achievement for Shrewsbury, which has already garnered national recognition as the ‘Town of Flowers’ and a ‘Great Town’ by the Academy of Urbanism.”

The town was also named one of its 'Happiest Places to Live in 2025' and the top town in the Midlands by The Guardian. It has dozens of historic pubs, including The Bull Inn and The Nags Head, which dates back to the 16th century and was featured in A Christmas Carol (1984).