The UK’s top 10 thrifting hotspots, revealed!

The research, conducted by Hiatt Hardware, analysed Google search data to reveal the areas with the highest demand for thrifting shops and upcycled furniture to reveal the most popular cities for thrifting.

Cambridge is crowned the thrifting hotspot of the UK, with 3,224 searches per 10,000 people.
Vintage shops and flea markets have always been a prominent fixture in Cambridge’s shopping scene, with plenty of quirky shops filled with historic trinkets and pre-loved antique homewares. Cambridge is also a major hotspot for secondhand books.

York ranks as the second most popular thrifting hotspot – with 3,061 searches per 10,000 people.
York’s second-hand shops are popular with residents and visitors to the city, with the most popular thrifting venues offering everything from vintage wedding dresses to retro homeware. York also ranks as the 8th most popular city for upcycled furniture.

Lincoln rounds off the top three most popular thrifting spots – with 3,034 searches per 10,000 people.
With growing awareness of the environmental impact of their shopping habits, buying second-hand has skyrocketed in popularity with shoppers looking to avoid the resource-intensive nature of brand-new goods. Lincoln is home to a number of vintage shops and pre-loved stores, and also ranks as the 10th most popular city for upcycled furniture.

Further Insights:
Chelmsford is the city that has seen the highest increase in thrifting searches, with searches facing a 42% year-on-year increase in second-hand-related searches.
Birmingham ranks as the city with the best access to antique shops, totalling 145 unique venues.