A new study has revealed that Birmingham's bustling New Street ranks as one of the most unhealthy shopping destinations in the entire United Kingdom.
The Unhealthiest High Streets Revealed
Research conducted by weight loss injection experts Chemist4U has identified the UK's unhealthiest high streets. The analysis, published in January 2026, examined the most populated cities, counting the number of shops classified as unhealthy within a 500-metre radius of each main street.
Stores such as fast food outlets, ice cream parlours, confectioneries, tortilla shops, and bakeries were deemed "unhealthy" for the purpose of this investigation.
Birmingham's Shocking Ranking
Birmingham's New Street has been ranked as the fourth unhealthiest high street in the country. The data shows a staggering 141 unhealthy outlets out of a total of 383 stores in the area.
This means that 36.8 per cent of shops on and around New Street are classified as unhealthy – that's more than one in every three stores offering temptations that could derail health resolutions.
The Top Five Unhealthy High Streets
The study crowned Peter's Street in Derby as the unhealthiest high street in the UK. A whopping 46.1 per cent of its stores fell into the unhealthy category.
In second place is Hales Street in Coventry, where 42.3 per cent of shops are unhealthy. Southend-on-Sea's central High Street took third place with 38.1 per cent.
Following Birmingham in fourth, Newport's High Street completed the top five, with 35.1 per cent (87 out of 248) of its outlets deemed unhealthy.
The findings highlight the significant environmental challenge for residents and visitors trying to make healthy food choices, particularly during the New Year period when health goals are front of mind.
