These are the most affordable market towns for first-home buyers
Across England and Wales, the typical amount paid by first-time buyers for a home in these desirable locations has climbed by 2 per cent annually and a significant 26 per cent since 2020, according to Lloyds, which used data from Halifax.
Leek in Staffordshire has been identified as the most affordable market town for first-time buyers in the study, with an average property price of £191,359.
Six of the ten most affordable market towns for first-time buyers are located across the Midlands. Conversely, Hitchin in Hertfordshire, with its commuting links to London, stands as the most expensive, commanding an average of £410,366.
For all buyers, the average house price in market towns reached £363,456, marking a 5 per cent increase over the past year and a 24 per cent rise in the last five years.
The research tracked house prices across 116 market towns.
Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire was identified by Lloyds as the most expensive market town for all buyer types, with an average price of £839,468.
Nearby Chesham and Amersham were identified in a separate study by L&G this week as Britain 's best places to retire.
Andrew Asaam, homes director, Lloyds, said: 'That 'best of both worlds' feeling has led to house prices in these areas holding up. In fact, the priciest market towns are amongst the most expensive locations, outside of Greater London, to settle into a home.
'It's worth looking beyond the most popular spots as some market towns are great value for money while offering the farmers' markets, independent shops and community spirit that make these historic places so appealing.'
The report quoted Amy Flynn, 26, who got onto the property ladder in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
She said: 'When looking to buy our first home, location was very important to us. We chose Bromsgrove, a market town, primarily for its connectivity, allowing us to easily commute to work and visit family and friends.
'Beyond logistics, we were drawn to the town's atmosphere. It has plenty of supermarkets, coffee shops, parks, pubs, gyms, barbers, nail salons and lots of charity shops to browse – everything a young couple could need.'
She added: 'Being within walking distance of everything we need means we don't need to spend as much money on petrol or delivery, helping us to save those extra pennies which are very important when navigating bills and expenses for the first time.
'Choosing Bromsgrove means we can still enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle while managing the financial responsibilities of buying our first home.'
Here are the least expensive market towns according to Lloyds, with the average first-time buyer house price in the 12 months to May 2025:
Leek, West Midlands, £191,359
Chesterfield, East Midlands, £198,054
Northallerton, Yorkshire and the Humber, £201,628
Selby, Yorkshire and the Humber, £202,092
Driffield, Yorkshire and the Humber, £203,160
Boston, East Midlands, £211,404
Buxton, East Midlands, £224,896
Newport, South Wales, £227,784
Sleaford, East Midlands, £229,197
Grantham, East Midlands, £230,464
Here are the most expensive market towns for first-time buyers, according to Lloyds:
Hitchin, East of England, £410,366
Altrincham, North West, £404,864
West Malling, South East, £396,925
Hertford, East of England, £392,310
Saffron Walden, East of England, £363,960
Wimborne, South West, £361,591
Market Harborough, East Midlands, £353,250
Chipping Norton, South East, £353,077
Didcot, South East, £352,919
Thatcham, South East, £349,602
And here are the market towns with the biggest house price increases between 2020 and 2025 in the study, across all buyer types. Figures show the average house price in the 12 months to May 2025 and the percentage increase over the five years:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
Is Onana set to stay as number one?
Manchester United's overall summer outlay is a surprise given minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said in March the club could have "gone bust by Christmas" without the huge cuts implemented to slash sources cite a number of reasons - including Marcus Rashford's £325,000-a-week salary being fully covered during his loan move to Barcelona, various sell-on clauses that have been activated this summer and the payment schedules agreed with Wolves and Brentford around Mathues Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo's arrivals - as the reason why they can still sources had said on Friday their attempts to sign Benjamin Sesko were subsequently, reports have emerged in the forward's native Slovenia stating the forward had chosen to join Newcastle. Neither club has commented officially on the latest it is accepted even if Sesko did arrive in a move that would take the club's overall spend to about £200m, there will still be issues for Amorim to address, chief among them the now seems certain Andre Onana will remain as Amorim's first Cameroon international has been working hard on his fitness in the United States after hurting his hamstring on the second day of pre-season is unlikely to be involved against Everton in Saturday's friendly but there is hope Onana could play some part in the final friendly against a Fiorentina side including former United keeper David de Gea at Old Trafford on 9 August."We are always looking to improve the team and we have some characteristics we would like to have. But it depends on the market and depends on sales," said Amorim."You can see the goalkeepers. Tom [Heaton] is leaner, Altay [Bayindir] did really well and [Andre] Onana is going to be better like the other guys that are getting better this year."Read more from Simon
The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
August 2025 bank holiday payment dates for benefits and pensions plus cost of living support
For millions across the UK, managing the cost of living remains a daily struggle as rising prices continue to outpace household incomes. Recent research from the Resolution Foundation found that the cost of essentials in the UK has remained stubbornly high, long past the 'peak' of the cost of living crisis in 2022. Despite inflation returning to pre-pandemic levels, the cost of goods has remained persistently high in the face of stagnant wages. At the same time, exorbitant household bills mean millions are grappling with debts to afford the essentials. Around 7.3 million adults (13.9 per cent of households) experienced food insecurity in January 2025, figures from The Food Foundation reveal, showing no signs of returning to pre-2022 levels. Meanwhile, energy arrears have more than doubled over the past five years, rising to £3.9 billion at the end of 2024. Against this difficult economic backdrop, it's important that households are claiming all the support the they entitled to. There are now around 24 million people in the country claiming some combination of DWP-administered benefits, representing around one in three people. Yet research by Policy in Practice shows that £23 billion worth of benefits goes unclaimed every year – you can use their helpful calculator to work out what you might be entitled to. Here is an overview of the financial support available to households this August and key dates for benefit and state pension recipients to look out for: Benefit payment dates in August Benefit payments will be going out as normal for the most part in August, although there is one bank holiday to be aware of. These include: Due to the Summer bank holiday on Monday 25 August, anyone expecting a payment on that date should instead receive on the previous working day – Friday 22 August. This also applies to state pension payments. For more information on how and when state benefits are paid, visit the government's website. The DWP is aiming to complete the migration of all 'legacy benefits' to Universal Credit by January 2026. Those receiving tax credits, income support, jobseeker's allowance, and housing benefit should have received a notice about moving to Universal Credit already. Are you having issues with PIP, Universal Credit, or any other benefit? Get in touch via email: Pension payment dates in August The basic state pension is paid straight into bank accounts similar to how benefits are paid. It is usually paid every four weeks, with the exact day you receive it corresponding to the last two digits of your national insurance (NI) number. Here's when you should be paid based on those numbers: 00 to 19: Monday 20 to 39: Tuesday 40 to 59: Wednesday 60 to 79: Thursday 80 to 99: Friday When will benefit rates go up? In April, all benefits were uprated by 1.7 per cent, matching the September 2024 inflation figure. The increase applied to all working-age benefits, including universal credit, PIP, DLA, attendance allowance, carer's allowance, ESA and more. Meanwhile, in line with the triple lock, the state pension has risen by 4.1 per cent – up £472 a year – matching wage growth in 2024. In April 2026, all Universal Credit claimants will receive an above-inflation increase to their income following the passage of Labour's controversial welfare bill. These extra-inflationary increases will continue yearly until 2029, with the first being a rise of at least 2.3 per cent. However, at the same time, the monthly payment rate for the health-related element of Universal Credit for new claimants will be cut from £105 to £50. This rate will also be frozen until 2029. This is a reduction of over £200 a month, cutting the additional rate by around half. This means it is advisable for anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply as soon as they can. Other help available Budgeting advance loans The government offers a 'budgeting advance loan' for people on Universal Credit who face an emergency lack of money. The loan has a maximum repayment period of two years. These loans are interest-free, and automatically deducted from Universal Credit payments. You can borrow an 'advance' of up to: £348 if you're single £464 if you're part of a couple £812 if you or your partner claim Child Benefit Following the Labour Budget in October, a new cap has been introduced on the amount the DWP can deduct from benefit payments to repay loans and debts, including budgeting advance loans. From April 2025, deductions from universal credit will be capped at 15 per cent of the standard allowance, down from 25 per cent. Discretionary Housing Payment Households can apply to their council for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), which offers financial support to go towards rent or housing costs. You can only get a DHP if you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. It can cover housing costs for a rent shortfall, rent deposits and rent in advance if you need to move home. Exact eligibility and the funds available are decided on a council-by-council basis, so you will need to get in touch with your local authority to find out more. Household Support Fund The Household Support Fund (HSF), distributed by local councils, offers vital assistance to those facing financial hardship, complementing standard benefits and grants. As part of this government initiative, eligible households throughout the UK can access support such as essential appliances, contributions towards utility bills, and direct cash payments reaching up to £300. Local authorities are free to decide how to allocate their HSF funding to suit households in their area, so exactly what is available will vary. To apply, households need to contact their council (most offer an online form). This nationwide program is set to run until March 2026. The government has committed £1 billion in funding to transition it into a 'Crisis and Resilience Fund', which will also replace the DHP. Charitable grants If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There are a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances. However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and only be able to offer limited funds. Charitable grants are available for people who are disabled or ill, carers, bereaved, unemployed, students – and many more. The charity Turn2us has an online tool to search for grants which may be available to you. Energy provider help A number of energy suppliers offer help for those struggling with their energy bills. These include British Gas, Scottish Power, EDF, and Octopus. It is worth contacting your energy provider to find out if you are eligible. Council tax reduction If you meet certain criteria or are on certain benefits, you may be able to apply for a discount on your council tax discount of up to 100 per cent. Your local council may still be able to offer you a discretionary reduction if you are able to demonstrate you are facing severe hardship and can't afford to pay your council tax. To apply for a council tax reduction, you can contact your local council via the government's website. Up to 30 hours of free childcare All working parents in the UK are currently entitled to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 3 to 4. From 1 April 2024, this entitlement expanded to include 15 hours of free childcare for 2-year-olds. From 1 September, it was expanded again to include all children from the age of nine months. You must apply online and reconfirm your eligibility every three months, in time for each school term. Working parents can also apply for tax-free childcare, giving back 20p for every 80p you put towards childcare, up to a maximum of £500 a year. The final expansion to free childcare, coming in September 2025, will see all children under five eligible for 30 hours. Energy Price Cap: Is it going up? Ofgem's energy price cap has be decreased from £1,849 to £1,720 for July to September – a drop of 7 per cent. The welcome fall follows three consecutive rises. The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy if you're on a standard variable tariff. That includes most households. It is expressed as an annual bill for an average home. Will there be another Cost of Living Payment in 2025? The DWP have not announced any continuation of the Cost of Living Payment scheme that ran between 2022 and 2024. The final payment should have been made to eligible households between 6 February and 22 February 2024. Mental health support In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@ or visit to find your nearest branch. Mind runs a support line on 0300 102 1234 which provides a safe and confidential place to talk about how you're feeling. There is also an information line on 0300 123 3393 for nearby support, and a welfare benefits line on 0300 222 5782 to support the mental health of those navigating the benefits system. Disability charity Scope has a forum where people can have supportive chats to others going through the same experiences. NHS England offers an online mental health triage service.
Daily Mail
40 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
'I run Britain's cheapest shop... everything costs 20p - but we're STILL fighting a crimewave'
It is the no-frills family-run store where every single item costs just 20p - but even Britain's cheapest shop is not immune from the brazen scourge of shoplifting sweeping the nation. The 20p Shop, nestled in the affluent market town of Otley, West Yorkshire, gained cult status among bargain hunters thanks to its rock-bottom prices and treasure trove of budget delights. The small business, which flogs greetings cards, cutlery and even jewellery for pennies, has managed to stave off a pandemic, stubborn inflation and a cost-of-living crisis. But now its owner has warned that the business - which relies on making the tiniest of profit margins - is under siege from shameless shoplifters stealing armfuls of stock, despite its ultra-low prices. The shocking revelation comes amid new figures published last month that suggests shoplifting in England and Wales has reached record levels. Steve Nelson, 67, said: 'We've got shoplifters - in a 20p shop. You tell me what kind of person does that? 'They'll pay 20p at the till just to make it look good - then on their way out, swipe a bunch of cards or plates. 'We've barred a couple. Believe it or not, some of them are pensioners. 'One paid 20p at the till, then walked to the table near the door and filled his bag up on the way out. 'I was just staggered. If he'd asked me for it, he could have just had it. 'When you've got pensioners stealing from a 20p shop, something's gone seriously wrong, hasn't it?' The high street shop may only charge 20p per item, but the impact of shoplifting is no small loss. Stock is bought in bulk, carefully sourced to allow profit margins of just pennies on each item. That makes each theft a serious financial blow. Mr Nelson, who has worked on markets since he was eight years old, says thefts have surged in recent months - with some crooks allegedly swiping cards in bulk to flog at car boot sales. He said: 'Cards are the worst, with people funding their own car boot sales by nicking them from us. 'Then they sell them for 50p each or something. 'If someone comes in and packs handfuls of cards into a carrier bag, they could cost me £30 or £40. 'People are just helping themselves to stuff that costs pennies. 'It just becomes incredibly frustrating. I could buy 100 tubes of super glue for £18 and if we sell the lot, great, we've made a couple of quid. 'But if somebody pinches a handful, what was the point of buying them in the first place? That's when you lose interest and think 'why I am doing this?'' The 20p Shop, which opened in 2017, has seen curious customers flock from far and wide in search of a bargain. Locals often donate unwanted goods, while the shop is manned by kind-hearted volunteers because takings would not cover staff wages. On a good day, the till might ring in around £150 - a figure that has to cover rent, rates and electricity. Mr Nelson said hikes in utilities and the increased cost of wholesale stock had caused significant pressures, along with a 'mindless' council decision to paint double yellow lines outside the shop, leading to a drop in footfall. He admitted: 'There are battles, whichever way you look. We're just going from one month to the next. 'Whether it's worth battling on, I don't know.' Mr Nelson's son Stewart, 31, who helps run the store, admitted there had been talk of raising prices to 50p - but insisted it's not going to happen. He said: 'The idea of keeping the shop going is hard because we just don't have enough money, and everything's going through the roof. 'We're very fortunate that people love the shop so much that they want to help out as volunteers. 'But we are not going to change the price. Our identity is The 20p Shop. That's how people know us.' Shoppers rummaging through neatly arranged greetings cards, second-hand books, calendars and quirky bric-a-brac told Daily Mail the store was 'a hidden gem'. Husband and wife Patricia and Alan Pickles, 81, left clutching two empty M&S biscuit tins - donated stock they plan to use for 'bits and pieces.' Mrs Pickles, 78, from Otley, said: 'I think the shop is fantastic. Everyone loves a bargain - it doesn't matter if you're rich or poor. There's always something from everybody. 'It's incredible to think that you could even run a business as a 20p shop in this day and age. I don't know how they do it.' Lee Lewis, 44, from Keighley, West Yorks, emerged with a bulging shopping bag and a total spend of just £1.40. He said: 'The amount of stuff I've just picked up here - it's absolutely incredible. 'I got a portfolio holder, a wall-mounting clip for a camera, a lovely little pendant for my grandmother, a charging stand, and the film Crash, which I think is one of the best movies ever made. 'How anyone can run a shop these days where everything's 20p is beyond me. It's like a little Aladdin's cave for people trying to make ends meet.' Regular visitor Jean Tricklebank, 72, said: 'People come from all around to visit The 20p Shop - towns that are well out of Otley. 'It's actually become a bit of tourist attraction. People make an effort to visit Otley so they can come and have a browse.' Angie Stork, 49, started volunteering at the shop last year as a way to meet people after moving to Otley. She said: 'I never get tired of hearing people say '20p? Is that all?' 'People can't believe it because you can't get you can't get anything for 20p these days. Not even a Milky Bar. 'We get all sorts of people in here, from all walks of life. People say one man's tat is another man's treasure, and I think that's why customers love the shop.' The woes of The 20p Shop come as statistics released last month showed shoplifting has risen by 20 per cent and reached record levels. Police recorded 530,643 offences in England and Wales in the year to March 2025 - the highest figure since records begun and up from 444,022 in the previous year. Shoplifting has become an increasing nightmare for High Street shops, with only a tiny minority of offenders ever charged. The crisis is illustrated by sickening CCTV revealing thieves casually walking out of stores with armfuls of high-value goods. Footage from a Waitrose store in London's Notting Hill earlier this month showed two men leaving with a stash of steak and salmon while staff watched on - forbidden from doing anything due to company policy. But elsewhere, shops have been fighting back, with two brave security guards seen grappling with a shoplifter trying to steal bottles of fizzy drink from a Greggs in nearby Hammersmith. Footage filmed by Daily Mail showed a young man being forced to drop the items on the floor before leaving in a strop. Since the pandemic, the Russia Ukraine conflict and soaring inflation, theft has soared in the UK, recently hitting the highest level ever seen. While some shoplifting may be fuelled by cost of living pressures, police believe organised gangs targeting expensive goods like steak, wine and high-end electronics are largely to blame. Last year, a national police unit set up to tackle the scourge of shoplifting across Britain identified more than 20 gangs and 200 criminals driving the epidemic. The gangs, many believed to be East European, are responsible for millions of pounds of thefts each year, and are also suspected of human trafficking and exploiting vulnerable individuals.
