Vacant shops in the Westway Centre, Frome
By Fromereporter | Tuesday, May 31, 2011, 15:17
Over the whole country market towns are struggling as the recession bites. In Frome we have been reasonably fortunate, despite some poor national press about vacancy rates in the town which seem to have been based on old data. However, there are pockets of trouble and one of these is in the Westway Centre, which is looking a bit empty.
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Westway Centre, Frome - old Clintons card shop
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Westway Centre, Frome - old Martins
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Westway Centre, Frome - old Mountstevens
In past years the Westway Centre has been the busiest part of the town, with the greatest 'footfall'. The owners, London-based Maybrook Properties, were able to charge high rents but now that leases are ending there are several vacancies. These are being marketed by King Sturge in Bath & Rogers & Co in Frome. So if you know of anyone wanting to rent a shop in Frome, pass on the details;
The old Clintons Card shop, number 10, is available at a rent of £23,000 per annum, but Richard at Rogers & Co. confirms that most terms are negotiable. It has 843 sq. ft of space and a very prominent location by the footbridge to the main car park. The old Mounstevens, no 20, has two floors of space with 14500 sq.ft & a rent of £23,500 pa. The old Travel Agent shop is also available from Rogers & Co, rent is yet to be set so contact them for more details.
The old Martins shop is on with King Sturge, Bath, as is the old Lloyds Chemist shop. No news on rents yet but I will post this information when they call me back. There is a rumour around that the Co-op is about to take the old Martins shop, what a great idea that would be! Might help the 'No more big supermarkets in Frome' campaign too.
See more pictures of the shops in our gallery.
Comments
I always think its shortsigted not to allow local businesses to use empty shops (for a low cost) to use the windows as advertising.
This would at least make the town look more thriving. An empty shop is a sad looking place.
I would have happily paid to use an empty shop for a place to show my art but often the Estate agents were unhelpful.
John Howlett
By dreamfuture at 11:39 on 04/06/11
ReportI think you misunderstand the powers of the CPO and the commercial skills & desires of any Council. The Westway units are completely different from a Catherine Hill shop. The agents are willing to discuss lower rents but rates are set by the District Valuer. In fact it is possible to get a completely rent-free period if there is benefit to the owner. See http://tinyurl.com/44ghh7d for CPO info.
By LoveFrome at 13:50 on 01/06/11
ReportIt's ridiculous to have so many empty shops. The thriving shops at St Catherines shows there are plenty of businesses in Frome wanting spots. Its obvious to all that the rates in the town centre are too expensive but the London based owners dont care. Time for compulsory purchase order and get the westway into the hands of the council perhaps?
By Mercifull at 10:56 on 01/06/11
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