The little UK market town with Britain’s ‘unhealthiest high street’ | UK | News
A small market town is home to Britain’s “unhealthiest high street”, according to a new nationwide assessment by Independent Pharmacy. The study examined hundreds of high streets in the UK to determine which were most densely packed with businesses linked to unhealthy habits, including takeaways, pubs, sweet shops, vape shops and off-licences, while also taking into account the lack of health-focused outlets such as gyms.
The report analyzed 419 high streets over 700 meters in length and assigned each a “High Street Health Index” score based on the balance of healthy and unhealthy businesses. The researchers also considered air quality, arguing that the streets people use every day can significantly impact long-term well-being.
At the top (or bottom) of the list is Stockport Road in the market town of Stockport in Greater Manchester. There are dozens of takeaways and bars here, but only a few gyms, the analysis said.
The high street was identified as the street with the highest weight for unhealthy offerings in the country, scoring the index’s maximum score.
Close behind is London Road in Croydon, followed by several other town centres, where fast-food outlets and alcohol-related shops far outnumber any areas that promote fitness or healthy living.
Public health experts warn that these environments can push communities into poorer lifestyle choices, especially in areas already facing high levels of deprivation.
Independent Pharmacy’s clinical consultants have noted that the design of a high street can shape the way residents eat, relax and socialize much more than many people realize.
Here’s the full list of the bottom 10 according to the High Street Health Index:
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Stockport Road, Greater Manchester
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London Road, Croydon
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High Street, Sutton
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Oxford Street, Westminster
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High Street, Bromley
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Main Street, Barnet
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Wilmslow Road, Manchester
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Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon
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High Street, Brentwood
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Edgware Road, Westminster
