A row of retail units in Boscombe built by DWP Housing Partnership is now completely occupied – and boosting the local economy.
The development also included 51 residential apartments which were snapped up earlier in the year, and now the commercial element is thriving too.
The businesses include a board game café, chiropractic clinic, bicycle sales and repair shop, gift shop, martial arts studio and hair and beauty salon.
Dorset’s biggest private landlord invested £4.5m in the scheme that took 24 months to complete.
The existing block in Christchurch Road was completely pulled down and rebuilt with large retail units at street level.
Steve Wells from DWP Housing Partnership said: “Although we are well known as a residential landlord we have a growing commercial element to the business.
“When we decided to rebuild this block we wanted to include commercial units which were large and fit for purpose.
“Every one of them is now occupied and doing well. There is a lot of footfall in the area and these businesspeople are taking advantage of it.
“We have for some years actively helped support new and small businesses where we are able.
“These businesses on Christchurch Road are a diverse collection but together they are boosting the local economy.
“We are able to offer highly competitive rents because we have committed to the block for the long term.”
The businesses are Coffee and Dice café which is also licensed and contains a host of board games for customers; the Back Pain Centre which provides chiropractic services, physiotherapy, sports therapy and remedial massage; GB Academy of Martial Arts which contains a Dojo and instructs in numerous disciplines, Guasti and Co, a gift shop selling many items including cosmetics; Renovatio Bikes which sells and repairs bicycles; and Boutique Hair and Beauty, a large salon.
