A beautiful market town is home to one of the best high streets in the UK, packed with 170 independent shops. Stamford is a market town and civil parish in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire.

St Mary’s Street in the town was crowned the best high street for independent shops across the whole of the UK in a 2024 AmEx study, which aimed to showcase the value of small businesses. Local businesses said that their success in the town is down to community spirit. Jessica Monro, owner of The Little Business Fairy and Fierce Women of Stamford, told the Express: “Small businesses here genuinely champion each other, instead of competing. We collaborate, share each other’s work, recommend one another, and really rally behind local businesses, which is quite rare nowadays.” Jessica added that Stamford has a strong “shop local” culture, with people wanting to support local businesses and “really valuing the personality, creativity and relationships” that come with small businesses rather than huge chains.

She said: “I honestly don’t think people realise how many incredible businesses are quietly thriving here! You’ve got everything from cafés, boutiques and salons to creatives, wellness businesses, events and networking groups.”

Annie Wilson, owner of independent pub The King’s Head, said the community is “amazing”, adding: “We have the support of our locals and our local tour guides help point visitors in our direction.”

She echoed Jessica’s claim that local businesses support each other, saying: “We try to keep as much of our spend inside our local high street using local butchers, fishmongers, veg stalls and breweries because we know how important supporting local is.”

But others said that despite the community spirit, many local businesses are struggling. Viv Bradford, owner of Mrs Bee’s Flower Company, said: “There are not as many independents as there used to be, sadly.

“I think the folk here really like to support small businesses if they can, but the high rents and rates make it really hard to trade compared to the big chains who have most of the high street shops now.

“That said, we do have a very vibrant town which is busy even on weekdays, and on Fridays and Saturdays, it’s sometimes hard to move for people.”

Louise Wright, owner of Frothy’s Coffee Shop, agreed with Viv, saying: “We are proud of where we live and the community we have built.

“Supporting each other’s business is the key, although it is increasingly harder to remain optimistic when landlords have become greedy, costs have risen significantly, and I feel we are just tax collectors for the Government.”

Stamford was the first conservation area designated in England and Wales under the Civic Amenities Act 1967. There are over 600 listed buildings in and around the town.

Much of the centre was built in the 17th and 18th centuries in Jacobean or Georgian style. It is marked by streets of timber-framed and stone buildings using local limestone and by little shops tucked down back alleys. Several former coaching inns survive, their large doorways being a feature.

St Leonard’s Priory is the oldest building in the town, legendarily founded by Wilfrid, tutor to the son of the Anglo-Saxon King Oswiu. The site retains Norman architectural features, including pillars and arches dating to around 1090, with a west front constructed circa 1150.