https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47868020There’s a massive problem in the High Streets. When chains are collapsing because of high rents and rates, you know that someone somewhere is seeing them as cash cows. Carluccios here closed under a year ago - the rent and rates for the building they were in were really high. Other restaurants in that area (a “restaurant quarter” was created a couple of years ago) and they seem to have had “sweet heart” deals to pull in tanants. Apparently, it’s a struggle to keep open there. Two others closed last year.
So, if we look at the rather excitable Essex LIve article on Chelmsford’ city centre empty shops, you’ll see the problem facing smaller and independent businesses.
https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-n ... ng-2686314Not all of those, BTW, are on the High Street. Some are close by. The Army and Navy one is a bit of a hike - you’ll need to walk there, and want to walk there. The other shops are Evans bikes, a wedding shop and a caterers supplies.
Those rents are eye watering for their locations, and you have to add rates on top of that. It’s little wonder some of these units have been empty for some time. The one at 68 New London Road has been empty for a good couple of years now.