Homeowners living close to flourishing local high streets could see their property values attract a premium, a study concludes.

 

The American Express High Streets Ahead report said houses near town centres full of prospering small traders had climbed by an average of £40,000 over the past decade. It identified Whitstable in Kent, Marlborough in Wiltshire, Hungerford in Berkshire, Totnes in Devon and Yarm in North Yorkshire as the hot spots for thriving independent retailers.