FARNHAM is one of Britain’s best locations for shopping, according to new research ranking the nation’s best performing retail centres.

Farnham was placed at number 11 in the annual list of 1,000 retail centres compiled by retail consultancy firm, Harper Dennis Hobbs (HDH) – climbing three places compared to 2021’s rankings.

It is thought small commuter towns, often with significant levels of wealth, such as Farnham, retained their higher rankings this year as remote working led to “more localised consumer spending”.

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

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.” London commuter towns continue to dominate the top 25. However, as Covid-19 restrictions have eased, city centres have seen their fortunes improve, many of which benefited from a significant increase in domestic tourism.