A Wiltshire market town has been praised as a “picturesque” place in which locals feel “lucky” to live.
Marlborough received the high praise in a report in national title The Daily Express earlier this month.
In a review of the town, the author highlights that its iconic high street was named one of the best in the UK by The Times last year.
They continue: “In 2022, it came second in the British Harper Dennis Hobbs Vitality Ranking, which tracks the health and prosperity of town centres.”
Exploring the local angle on the appeal of the history town, The Express spoke to resident Chris Robe, who said the high street has stayed strong “because it knows what it stands for”.
Mr Robe told the paper the street “hasn’t sold out to big chains or businesses that don’t fit the local vibe”.
He continued: “When you walk through, you see independent cafés, butchers and bakeries, places with character.
“That’s what keeps people coming back, and it’s what keeps money circulating in the community.”
Fellow resident Mandy Kelsey said: “It's a beautiful town. It has a lovely vibe with a great range of shops, cafes and places to mooch around in.
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"Yes, it's a range of rather upmarket shops but there is a Wednesday and Saturday market for less expensive items if money is tight.
“We should be grateful the shops are full and nothing is boarded up and run down, be grateful for what you have on your doorstep. I love it.”
A Marlborough Town Council spokesperson told the paper it was likely the “unique blend of everything on offer coupled with its scale” that ensures Marlborough is regularly voted one of the best places to live.
The spokesperson added: “In a survey a few years ago, our own residents described Marlborough as a friendly, historic, beautiful market town, and we agree. In fact, we wrote it on the welcome signs.”
The town council told the paper that Marlborough is “lucky” to have one of the widest high streets in the country, lined with buildings that are “a real mixture of architectural styles and historic period”.
However, as locals know, it is not all roses around the iconic High Street.
East Wiltshire MP Danny Kruger recently highlighted issues being faced by the town’s market, which takes place in the middle of the high street, but is “shrinking” due to the impact of a “traffic crisis”.
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