Shopping in Shrewsbury is varied and appealing, as independent retailers, many of which have been established for decades, greatly outnumber the chain stores in the town centre.
The partially pedestrianised Pride Hill is home to most of the national stores in Shrewsbury, however a plethora of antique dealers, vintage clothing boutiques and intriguing specialist shops can be found down the many medieval streets and alleyways, such as the famous Wyle Cop. The Parade Shopping Centre is a hub of 25 independent shops, encompassing fashion, food and collectables.
Shrewsbury’s independent businesses include a diverse host of restaurants, pavement cafés and bars. Rural Shropshire is known for its fruitful farmland, and so many restaurants in Shrewsbury take advantage of the fresh local produce with seasonal menus that showcase the region’s flavours.
Restaurants in Shrewsbury are focused around the heart of the town centre, and establishments such as Csons, which serves globally-inspired dishes; gourmet burger restaurant Brooklyn Craft; and Mediterranean-British fusion eatery Riverbank Bar & Kitchen all incorporate locally-sourced ingredients into their menus. However, historic pubs are a signature of Shrewsbury. The Three Fishes Inn and The Loggerheads both serve an array of local real ales in buildings that date back centuries.