DEMAND for shop premises in York city centre is now so high that it is equalled only by central London, it has been claimed.

Andrew Hedley, of Blacks Property Consultants, said retailers and agents were calling almost weekly for news of any opportunities to secure premises, with demand coming as much from smaller traders as the big multiple chains.

There was probably the highest number of “unsatisfied retail requirements” for premises he had known in 20 years. “I can only think of central London where similar demand levels exist,” he said.

His comments came as latest City of York Council figures showed the number of empty shops in the city centre had fallen to 53 from 62 last year and as another agent revealed that the former JJB sports shop in Goodramgate – which has stood empty for about two years – is set to be occupied by a “high-quality retailer” later this year.

Jane Johnson, owner of Creative Glass, which recently opened in Back Swinegate and sells studio/art glass made and designed by glassmakers from all over the UK, said she had left behind family and friends in the West Midlands to come to York.

She said she chose the city for the venture because throughout all her research for the right place, she “couldn’t find a reason why not,” adding: “York ticked all the boxes from a business point of view and is a very friendly and supportive city.

“York has a thriving tourist industry, is well established as a business and conference centre and attracts visitors from all over Yorkshire and indeed the world, and of course, importantly, there are the residents of York.”

Adam Sinclair, chairman of York Business Forum and boss of Mulberry Hall in Stonegate, said: “This is continuing testament to the distinction and quality of York city centre in a world full of websites and shopping malls.

“Retailers are seeking York out and we imperil this at our peril. Moreover the public are visiting York, Bath and Edinburgh rather than expensive Euro destinations.”

Mr Hedley said Stonegate was the clear focus of attention for prospective retailers, with a major fashion retailer set to move into the Moss Bros shop when it shuts at the end of the month.

“Stonegate looks like it’s now repeating the record demand levels of the late 1980s.”

He said a number of new businesses to have opened recently included Blue Tree Gallery in Gillygate as well as Creative Glass, with Tailormade, an alteration tailoring service, to open in Little Stonegate soon.

He revealed that, when he was approached to let a shop, he was invariably asked for details of the incentive available – usually in terms of rent free period within a lease – but York landlords did not need to offer major incentives, as often there was more than one tenant looking to do a deal.

Matt Illingworth, of property agents Cushman and Wakefield, said the former JJB store in Goodramgate, which has been empty for about two years, was likely to be occupied later this year, and he was confident three remaining empty properties in Coney Street would also be taken in time.

The Press revealed recently that the former Borders store in Davygate was set to reopen a Cult fashion store.

York council leader elect James Alexander said the city was attractive with a large number of regular and high spending international visitors, but the authority could always do more to improve the situation for retailers. “This includes having a review of the amount and quality of street furniture to make sure the city looks its most attractive.”

York Press: The Press - Comment

Shops demand a sign of hope

EMPTY stores in York city centre should soon be a thing of the past, according to a major property consultancy, which claims demand for retail premises in York is now only equalled by central London.

Not surprisingly, Stonegate is the jewel in the crown, with prospective bidders queuing up and even phoning weekly in a desperate bid to open a shop there.

York hasn’t seen demand like this since the boom years of the late 1980s, and it suggests companies are taken by the city’s near-perfect credentials.

Jane Johnson certainly thinks so. She moved here from the West Midlands to open her business because she says throughout all her research into finding the right place, she couldn’t find a reason not to.

York has everything from world-quality history to a thriving tourist industry and for some years has been the place to be for technology based businesses.

Now the high-street names want a piece of the action – and it’s not just the chain stores.

All of this is excellent news in the middle of an economic morass elsewhere. Bradford’s city centre remains a hole in the ground, retail projects have stalled in Leeds but York, with its diverse economy, remains on track to come out of the recession better than most.

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