A thriving retail parade in the West Midlands is now fully let after a furniture store secured the final unit, just in time for Christmas.
Lisa Rudd, owner of Village Interiors, has secured a three-year lease on a 1,530 sq ft retail unit at Anchor Parade in Aldridge, after relocating from the high street.
Anchor Parade – owned and managed by commercial property company London & Cambridge Properties (LCP) – has 35 stores and a market hall around a square. It has a wide range of high street shops, including Boots, Home Bargains and Iceland, alongside some independent retailers. Convenient free parking is provided in the centre’s own roof top car park.
Lisa said: “We have already seen a significant increase in footfall and sales since moving from the high street to the parade. We have a great spot opposite Boots and there are always plenty of people around.”
London & Cambridge Properties’ retail asset manager Jo Salmon said: “We are delighted that Lisa has already seen an upturn in custom after moving to the Anchor Parade.
“The parade is easily accessible by public transport and £250,000 has been spent on improving car parking and upgrading the central square – an investment which is really paying dividends. Business owners and shoppers seem to be happy with it and that is reflected in the success of the retail scheme.
“Anchor Parade is a popular shopping destination as it has a good mix of high street and independent retailers who all work together to ensure their stores are well presented and the parade remains a place where customers want to shop. An element of the parade’s success can be owed to the planning authority, which hasn’t allowed major supermarket chains to develop nearby.
“Working in partnership with the local authority is vital. We are working together on plans to refurbish the public toilets and organise a number of initiatives on the run up to Christmas.”
Lisa added: “With Christmas on its way we are looking forward to a busy few months ahead, especially as a result of the programme of festivities planned for Saturday 30th November, which includes an ice rink in the square.”