There is still a strong demand for retail space owned by the Council at the start of 2012 with three businesses moving into previously empty premises within the City.
NS Hair (3 Newmarket Row), Aria Lingerie (3 George Street) and Caffe Dolce (bottom of Milsom Street which is relocating from the Podium) will all occupy previously empty premises.
Despite the gloomy national economic picture, Bath is being seen as a great place to do business for both new traders to the city and existing ones. The void rate for Council retail property is currently 2.5% – equivalent to 5 premises out of 195. This compares with the latest national figures which indicate the proportion of vacant units is 13%.
Councillor David Bellotti (Lib-Dem, Lyncombe), Cabinet Member for Community Resources, said, “It is excellent news that Bath & North East Somerset Council is able to let premises so quickly in such harsh national economic circumstances and that our void rate is well below national figures. It reflects the work the Council, local partners, and the private sector have done, like SouthGate and Roman Baths improvements, to ensure that people want to shop here and visit our superb tourist attractions.
“Our Property Services Team has been able to help those businesses who have had to leave the Podium and I’m pleased to say that we’ve also been able to help other existing Bath businesses move to other premises to meet their commercial requirements.”
The Council has also supported four other businesses to either relocate or take over previously let premises in the city – Bertinet (6 New Bond Street Place), Leonidas (7-9 Lower Borough Walls), The Kooples (6 Milsom Street), and Regency Laundry and Dry Cleaners (30 Westgate Buildings).
Andrew Cooper, Bath Business Improvement District Manager, added, “The quality of the place where retail premises are located is a crucial part of attracting businesses here.
“The activity of the Business Improvement District providing initiatives such as promotions and events to drive footfall is vital in supporting all businesses working in partnership with the council, and property landlords.”
Retail premises are still available for businesses looking for a spot in one of the most popular commercial locations in the UK. Call the Council’s Property Services Team on 01225 477172.
