Cafés, post offices, banks, bakeries, pubs and libraries are all part of the public’s ideal high street, according to new polling of more than 2,000 people.

Commissioned by Libraries Connected, the membership body for public library services, the survey asked people to choose which places they would want an ideal high street to include.

The survey asked respondents to choose as many amenities as they wanted from a list of 20 options. Cafés and restaurants came top, chosen by 88% of people, followed by post offices (84%), banks and building societies (81%), clothing shops (79%), butchers or bakeries (79%) and supermarkets or grocery shops (77%).

But the ideal high street is about more than shopping. Two thirds (67%) want a hairdresser or barber, 65% a pub or bar and 58% a library, putting libraries in the top ten most popular choices. 

What the public think should be on an ideal high street: the 10 most popular choices and the percentage of people who selected each one.

1. Cafés or restaurants – 88%
2. Post office – 84%
3. Banks and building societies – 81%
4. Clothing shops – 79%
5. Butcher or bakery – 79%
6. Supermarkets or grocery shops – 77%
7. Hairdressers and barbers – 67%
8. Pubs or bars – 65%
9. Library – 58%
10. Charity shops – 57% 

Libraries were more popular than every other cultural and leisure venue included in the survey, including cinemas (38%), museums and galleries (29%), gyms (27%), theatres (27%) and music venues (22%). At the other end of the scale, just 11% want betting shops and 7% want vape shops.

The findings come as the government puts renewed focus on high streets through its Hope on the High Street strategy. Published last month, it argues that successful high streets need not just businesses but strong “anchors and amenities” and places for people to come together. The strategy describes libraries as “among the most important civic assets on our high streets”. 

Isobel Hunter MBE, chief executive of Libraries Connected, said:

“We wanted to know whether people see libraries as part of their ideal high street, and the answer is a resounding yes. Libraries are right up there alongside banks, pubs and grocery shops, and they’re the only publicly-funded service in the top ten.

“That perhaps isn’t surprising. More than half of high street destinations in England have a library, and almost two thirds of public libraries are on or close to a high street.

“What really stands out is the mix people want. In some places, libraries are even helping to provide more of that mix themselves, from cafés to banking and postal services. But their core role remains just as important: you can pick up a book on your way home from the shops, take the children to an activity or simply spend time in a warm, welcoming environment without having to buy anything.”

The research was conducted by Yonder on behalf of Libraries Connected. The total sample size was 2,116 people aged 16+ in the UK. Fieldwork was conducted online on 28 and 29 October 2026. The data were weighted to be nationally representative. Full polling tables are available here.