How we rate each store
Every store gets a mark out of ten for how many people live close to it, and how near they are. Here is exactly what goes into that.
What we look at
Ten things, all about the streets around a store rather than the shop itself. A store surrounded by houses has plenty of people close by. One on a bypass with fields behind it has fewer, however lovely the shop is.
- People within 3 miles
How many people live within about three miles of the store.counts a lot - Neighbourhoods in range
How many separate neighbourhoods sit within three miles.counts a lot - People per square mile
How tightly homes are packed within three miles of the store.counts a lot - Nearest neighbourhood
The distance from the store to the first neighbourhood around it.counts a fair bit - People within 5 miles
How many people live close enough to pop to this store for someone.counts a fair bit - Directions covered
Whether homes sit on every side of the store or only one.counts a little - Biggest area nearby
The size of the largest neighbourhood within reach.counts a little - Other Boots stores within 5 miles
Other Boots stores close by, in case this one has sold out of what you need.counts a little - Areas within a mile
How many neighbourhoods sit within a mile, an easy walk or a short hop.counts a little - To the town centre
How near the store is to a town or city centre.counts a little
What the mark means
Each of the ten gets a mark out of ten, and we put them together into one score, leaning on the ones that matter most. A high score means plenty of people live close by, and close to the store.
A low score is not a black mark against the shop. It just means the store sits somewhere quieter. It says nothing about whether someone will offer to fetch your shopping: only posting the job tells you that.
Whatever the score says, the quickest way to find out is to ask someone local. It takes a minute.