Article – 22nd March 2022

Farnham ranks highly in a national study of retail Vitality Rankings.

A national study of the retail health of shopping and leisure destinations across the country has ranked Farnham in 11th place, nationally, three places higher than in 2021.

The ‘Vitality Ranking’ study, by London firm Harper Dennis Hobbs, looks at variables from retail vacancy rates and population demographics, through to a town’s suitability for local consumers, the size of the retail offer and changes in mobility data published by Google.

The study ranks Farnham just outside the Top 5 retail destinations in the South East, but well above other regional towns and cities such as Brighton (20th), Tunbridge Wells (32nd), Winchester (38th) and Guildford (49th).

Nick Reeve of Farnham based property specialist Curchod & Co, said: “The study reveals the success of the town not only in attracting a variety of retailers and operators but also its ability to provide residents with an essential blend of goods and services.

“Shopping habits have changed during the period of the pandemic, and with more people working from home, there has been an increase in people shopping locally. The diversity of shops and the wide range of retail and leisure offers in Farnham has clearly been popular with the town’s residents, and this has benefited the town centre as a whole.

“Farnham’s success as a retail destination continues to attract new operators and businesses who are keen to establish themselves in the town. This is reflected in the vacancy rates, which are very low compared to other locations in Surrey and Hampshire,” he added.