Fashion chain Joules is opening a bigger store on Bridlesmith Gate – as some shoppers express concern over the number of empty units on one of Nottingham’s most prestigious streets.
The British clothing retailer has been on the street since November 2013, but is moving a few units down Bridlesmith Gate to an empty unit previously occupied by Hobbs.
Hobbs closed its shop on the street in April, but still has a store within John Lewis at the Victoria Centre.
But as Joules snaps up the new premises, other retailers have moved out. There are currently five empty units on the high-end street.
These were used previously by the likes of shoe shop Office, which moved to the Victoria Centre, clothing store American Apparel, designer handbag company Radley, and charity British Heart Foundation.
Radley still has shops in Exchange Arcade and John Lewis, and British Heart Foundation still has shops on Long Row and in the Broadmarsh.
Shoppers were concerned for the loss of trade in the area.
Melanie Smith, 46, who lives in the city centre, said: “It’s worrying to see such a nice street becoming so vacant.
“I’m not sure if the growing online trade is to blame, or perhaps rents of units being too expensive now, but I imagine as a business it must be worrying times.”
Elaine Walters, 68, of Arnold, said: “It used to be the place to shop back in the day now almost monthly someone is moving out or elsewhere in the city.
“I’m not sure how the area can get back to what it once was.”
Shoppers were concerned for the loss of trade in the area.
Melanie Smith, 46, of the city centre, said: “It’s worrying to see such a nice street becoming so vacant.
“I’m not sure if the growing online trade is to blame, or perhaps rents of units being too expensive now, but I imagine as a business it must be worrying times.”
Elaine Walters, 68, of Arnold, said: “It used to be the place to shop back in the day now almost monthly someone is moving out or elsewhere in the city.
“I’m not sure how the area can get back to what it once was.”
The newest addition to leave the street is Links of London, which is now vacated and advertised to let. It still has a unit in John Lewis in the Victoria Centre.
Not all shoppers felt the same though, Nigel Broughton said the new opening shows the area is getting better.
The 32-year-old, of West Bridgford, said: “I think Joules moving shows how the area is improving. New additions have come onto the street as well as ones that have left too. You can’t forget that.
“Maybe if rates came down more it would attract brands to come back to the area, or even get those higher end ones to join.”
Staff at independent business The Tokenhouse said the new store means things ‘can’t be that bad’.
Holly Williams, manager at the store, said: “I don’t really want to say much about it, Joules might be doing well to move to a new and bigger store but that doesn’t mean everyone is.
“MAC has moved down here recently so it can’t be that bad.”
Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for business Councillor Sam Webster, said: “There is always a natural churn of shops moving in and out of certain locations in any town or city.
“Some of the current vacancies on Bridlesmith Gate reflect national stores rationalising the number of outlets and in the case of American Apparel, national investment decisions to pull out of high street stores. Others such as Offspring and Hobbs have moved to different locations in Nottingham.
“Bridlesmith Gate remains one of our key, quality shopping streets, which is always a popular location for retailers.
“Its strengths will be reinforced by the Broadmarsh development, which includes substantial improvements to the Drury Walk entrance to echo the appearance of the Bridlesmith Gate buildings, and effectively extend this street into the shopping centre.”
Joules has been approached for comment on the new opening.
