Carter Jonas - Retail Development - Witney, Mill Walk

Date: 24 Jun 2008

Two local firms are first to take up two of five retail units at Mill Walk in Witney. Dennis Green Carpets Fabrics & Blinds, and Curves, a new fitness studio, have acted quickly to secure these desirable units which are in a prime town centre location.

"Concerns about an economic slowdown are off the agenda in Witney, as the commercial property market in the town continues to flourish," says Scott Harkness, Carter Jonas Commercial Partner. "Retail space is always in high demand, and Mill Walk is in a particularly good position for the major expansion that's about to take place in the town."

Dennis Green is an established family firm that has traded in Witney since 1969. It is moving for the first time in its history from its site at 10 Market Square. "Our business is stepping up a gear and we need a new shop and showroom," says Roger Green, a partner in the firm. "Mill Walk is in a superb location as we keep our position in the town centre but there are more facilities such as parking right outside and more space. Our customers are delighted and we expect the new premises to bring in many new ones."

Curves is a brand new fitness studio which is targeted primarily at women who don't have the time in their daily routine for lengthy workouts. "The equipment and training we have here allows customers to be in and out within 30 minutes, so it is much easier to build a fitness routine into their normal day," says partner Melanie Powell. "The unit at Mill Walk is ideal as there is parking outside, we're in the town centre and near a supermarket. These are all factors that make it easy for our customers to drop in, work out and be on their way within a very short space of time."

Mill Walk has its own parking court and is next to the town's main free parking spaces, 850 in all. It has prime position mid-way between the Woolgate shopping centre and the new Marriotts Close development which opens in December. The units are all ground floor retail with between 1171 and 1394 sq ft. Combining adjacent units is possible and Planning Consent exists for A2/B1 use, with A1 retail use subject to Local Authority Approval.

Anyone familiar with Witney is well aware of the town's excellent transport connections and local facilities. It is identified within the Oxfordshire Local Plan as one of four principle growth areas in the county and is expanding at the rate of 5-600 new homes a year. The Marriotts Close development is creating 100,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant premises plus a multi-screen cinema, a 600+-space multi-storey car park and 188 residential units.

"It is certainly the right time to invest in Witney," concludes Scott Harkness. "There is rapid change taking place and the businesses that establish themselves now will be best placed to take advantage of this remarkable growth."

Related website: Carter Jonas

Mill Walk, Witney