Douglas Duff - General - Bedfordshire Retail Property Market

Date: 02 Dec 2004

Although supermarkets dominate the retail sector, specialist and niche suppliers are creating strong demand in the retail property market in Bedfordshire, say agents Douglas Duff. Smaller retail premises across the county - including those in secondary locations - are proving popular among potential tenants and buyers.

"The traditional High Street is changing, but in many towns and villages, niche shops are thriving as they provide the specialist products and personal service that supermarkets can't offer" said Joanne McGirl of Douglas Duff. "Demand for leasehold and freehold retail premises remains buoyant - we recently sold two shops in Commercial Road, Bedford, while the newly-built retail units at the Saxon Centre in Biggleswade are 80 per cent occupied with the last two under offer."

Recently-completed lettings have focused very much on new business ventures:

A new venture for family business Cascadia Bathrooms Ltd, is now based at Unit 3 (850 sq ft/79 sq m), Saxon Centre, Biggleswade.

A hair-dressing and beauty salon of around 616 sq ft (57 sq m) in Greyfriars, Bedford, has just been taken by local scissors supremo Zoe Franklin setting up on her own;

First-floor offices of 757 sq ft (70 sq m) at Latrobe House in St Cuthbert's Street, are now home to Bedford's National Slimming Centre and National Cosmetic Centre, new to the area and part of a UK operation which aims to help people who find it hard to lose weight and those who need the boost of beauty therapies.

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