The best & worst High Streets to open a business revealed
From soaring crime rates to flood risks, the business insurance brokers at Premierline have analysed 17 of the UK’s best-known high streets to uncover the best - and worst - places to open your small business in 2025.
According to the data, London’s Regent Street is the riskiest high street, with an eye-watering crime rate of 5,754 incidents per 1,000 people, which is over 40 times the national average.
Meanwhile, Oxford Street recorded the highest estimated revenue (£1.1 billion), but premium levels were 1.58% lower than the national average, driven by factors such as high footfall (13 million visitors a month) and a crime rate of 132.5 per 1,000 - making it the perfect place to set up.
Our internal data has also revealed that Edinburgh’s Princes Street had the highest premiums for any high street, (14.4% over average), while Broadmead in Bristol had the lowest rate (under 15.4%).
New Street/Bullring in Birmingham also raised red flags, with a crime rate of 350 per 1000 and an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) score of just 3/10, indicative of high deprivation, which can increase insurance premiums.
In contrast, Guildhall Shopping Centre in Exeter and Cornmarket Street in Oxford have been revealed as the safest bets, thanks to lower crime rates - 62.8% and 85.2% respectively, low risk of flooding and proximity to well-known brands, without an associated surge in footfall-related incidents.
Rebecca Leversidge, Group Marketing Manager at Premierline, commented: “It’s easy to assume that securing a unit on a busy high street or next to a big-name brand guarantees business success, but when it comes to insurance, location can be just as much a liability as an asset.
"What this data shows is that high footfall, retail prestige and revenue potential don’t necessarily translate to lower risk. In fact, many of the UK’s most iconic shopping streets, from Regent Street in London to Buchanan Street in Glasgow, are impacted by the greatest challenges. High crime rates, local deprivation and even issues like flood risk or retail vacancy can drive up insurance premiums and impact a business’s ability to find the right cover.
"As a result, small businesses should be mindful of the wider picture when choosing premises. Being near a retail park or well-known brand might bring footfall, but it can also increase the likelihood of theft, damage or public liability issues. And while foot traffic is essential for many, it must be balanced against the practical risks associated with the area.
"We work closely with retailers across the UK to help them navigate these complexities. We recognise that every business is different, and that every high street is too - which is why tailored cover and local insight are key to making sure businesses stay protected, wherever they choose to set up shop.”
The Richest vs. Riskiest
While Oxford Street in London boasts the highest estimated revenue at £1.1 billion annually, it also faces extremely high footfall (13 million per month) and a crime rate of 132.5 per 1,000. Similarly, Buchanan Street in Glasgow draws in £800 million, and also carries a high crime rate of 122.
However, the data suggest that higher revenue does not equate to lower risk. In fact, the most lucrative high streets tend to be the riskiest.
The analysis, by Premierline also found mixed results when it comes to safety near retail parks. While Guildhall Shopping Centre (Exeter) and Queen Street (Cardiff) both benefited from a nearby retail park and scored medium-to-low insurance risk, Croydon’s North End – also near a retail park – saw one of the highest vacancy rates (9%) and significant crime concerns, landing it firmly in the high-risk bracket.
Being close to big brands may seem like a commercial advantage, but it also comes with potential insurance complications. High footfall around flagship stores often correlates with higher crime and vandalism rates, impacting premiums.
That said, smaller high streets with moderate brand proximity – such as Cornmarket Street in Oxford or Broadmead in Bristol, may offer a sweet spot between customer access and manageable insurance risk.
To find out more about how your business location could impact your insurance needs, or to get a quote tailored to your high street, you can speak to one of our expert advisors today.