Shrewsbury Shopping Centres offer businesses a taste of retail
Businesses in Shropshire are being given the chance to dip their toes in the retail waters thanks to the Shrewsbury Shopping Centres.
Flexible deals are being offered for temporary lets which can be as short as just a week in the Pride Hill Lower Level and Riverside Centres.
Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the town’s busy Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “The Mary Portas report into the high street made 28 recommendations and this is our interpretation of some of those points.
“We want to give local traders the opportunity to take units on a temporary basis.
“This gives them the chance to test the waters without making a major financial commitment or tying them into a long-term rental.
“It means they can fully explore all the pros and cons of taking a tenancy but without the risk – it could be the start of something big for them.
“We’re looking at being flexible in terms of the length of time businesses want to use the units to trade from.
“We’re also being flexible about the numbers of businesses – if two or three people wanted to rent a unit between them then we’re happy to look at that as an option.”
Wroxeter Vineyard have had seasonal rentals and so have Fresh Start which showcases the handicrafts of prisoners from Shrewsbury Gaol while Turner Furniture have taken the huge former T J Hughes unit after a successful short-term stay in the Pride Hill Centre where they have also opened a second store.
Kevin Lockwood added: “Basically it is for people who want to see how their business will get on in a retail environment and we have the type of package to suit everyone, short term, mid term or long term.
“It might be someone who wants to see if a long term future in a major shopping centre is the next step for their business or it could be for someone who only ever intends to take a short term lease.
“Perhaps they have a seasonal trade or they may have a surplus of stock which they want to shift or they could be a market trader or home business looking to take the next step.
“After all Marks and Spencer began with a stall in Leeds Market and look at where that has led.
“Businesses need to be more flexible these days and we are responding to that by being more supportive ourselves.
“We have the space available and if you want to come along and have a chat about it we may be able to help.”
For enquiries about shop lets contact Shrewsbury Shopping on 01743 272322 or e-mail info@shrewsbury-shopping.co.uk
