Optimism as Salisbury continues to attract new business
Salisbury BID says despite the ongoing pandemic a number of new businesses have opened in our city
Since January a range of new indepedent businesses have launched across the city centre ranging from hairdressers to a dentist and a toy shop!
The list includes:
- Pick Up Café on Butcher Row
- Nole Pizza on Butcher Row
- Studio 15 on Milford Street for hair beauty and sunbeds
- No 65 Lashes, Hair & Beauty on Castle Street
- Lah Koh on Fisherton Street for healthy hotpots, salads and soups
- Sonner Toys in the Old George Mall
- My Comic Soda Bar on Blue Boar Row
- Muse Hairdressing on Winchester Street
- Bond Dental Clinic on Castle Street
- Gringos Peri Peri on Castle Street
Two pop up shops have also opened for the festive season too.
The Calendar Club, which is in the former Russell and Bromley store, and the Christmas Box along New Canal.
Robin McGowan, Chief Executive of Salisbury BID, said:
"The appearance of so many new names on our streets proves that despite one of the toughest years in memory for businesses, that there is reason to be optimistic. Salisbury is a beautiful city and offers many opportunities for business owners. It has been a dark year but we see the light at the end of the tunnel and are ready for a thriving 2021."
BIG NAMES DISAPPEAR
Salisbury has however seen the loss however of some big names this year, including Debenhams, Burger King, Cafe Rouge, Laura Ashley, Starbucks (city centre) and Pizza Hut.
Independent gift store The India shop also closed along with popular material shop, Fabricland.
BUCKING THE TREND WHEN IT COMES TO RETAIL VACANCY RATE
The launch of a number of new businesses means the city is bucking the trend when it comes to its retail vacancy rate.
Figures collected by Salisbury BID and Springboard in October show the number of empty ground floor units in Salisbury city centre stood at 10.6% which is lower than both the South West average (12.8%) and UK average (11.3%).
Deen Speer, Partner of Myddelton & Major and Vice Chair of Salisbury BID says there's no doubt this year has been tough
"2020 has been a very difficult year for the retail sector with many high-profile occupiers lost."
"We are however seeing hopeful signs as Salisbury has attracted a number of new occupiers to take some of the spaces that have appeared in the city."
"Town and City centres have been changing and this change has been accelerated by the pandemic. I believe that in the future we will still have a vibrant and thriving city centre, but the mix of occupiers will change as we see more services offered on the High Street rather than just things to buy."
"I think we will also see a resurgence of more independent individual shops offering something more unique to buy rather than so many big chain store brands. We find people are endlessly entrepreneurial and are approached everyday by potential tenants with new ideas. Let's hope that optimism continues and 2021 will be a time for renewal and growth and at Myddelton & Major we look forward to engaging with those occupiers"
YEAR ON YEAR VACANCY RATES NOT QUITE AS GOOD
Year on year the vacancy rates show that Salisbury has seen a modest rise in empty shops, from 8.6% in October 2019, however, there has been a fall since the last figures in July revealed the rate stood at 10.8%.
With customers heading back to the city centre following a second lockdown, and the launch of a Covid-19 vaccination programme, Salisbury BID hope this downward trend will continue through to an optimistic 2021.