Swindon's high street is 'one of the unhealthiest in UK'

Too many vape shops, fast food restaurants and betting shops but not enough leisure and wellbeing centres brought the town's score down in a new ranking of the country's high streets based on what facilities are available.

The HealthRate index created by Bankrate analysed the amenities surrounding every major UK high street and awarded each town and city a score based on the healthy life choices, social interaction and mental wellbeing they each promote.

Points were given for gyms, museums, green spaces, leisure centres, libraries, GPs, pubs, wellbeing centres, and restaurants and cafes suitable for vegans in the area.

But points were taken away for vape shops, fast food restaurants, payday lenders, gambling and betting shops.

Overall, Swindon placed right at the bottom of the table with a score of -19, making it joint-third-last with Slough and only above Rotherham (-77) and Peterborough (-104).

The reason given for Swindon’s low score was a lack of leisure centres (seven times less than the average high street) and wellbeing centres (half the amount of the average high street). 

Each of the other 78 places ranked managed to score above zero.

York placed at the top of the table with a score of 471 thanks to a high number of leisure centres and vegan eateries, with Glasgow a close second due to its large offering of gyms.

HEALTHIEST UK HIGH STREETS

1. York: 471
2. Glasgow: 454
3. London: 379
4. Oxford: 377
5. Cardiff: 357
6. Ipswich: 340
7. Edinburgh: 324
8. Bath: 306
9. Manchester: 305
10. Leeds: 302

UNHEALTHIEST UK HIGH STREETS