More Shops Expected For Thornbury

The state of the high street and St Mary's Shopping Centre have been matters of concern for local people ever since the beginning of our most recent recession. However, the number of empty shop units in town looks to be getting smaller as the Gazette reports that another two shops are due to open soon - in addition to five that opened here over the past six months.

New shops in the town include another charity shop, a deli bar, a hairdressers, a bridal shop, and a branch of Thorntons. The latest shops are not going to be markedly different from shops that we have in town at the moment (another charity shop and a café), but at least they will be taking up space in empty units. In my opinion this is especially useful because the shop Coffee #1 intends to move in to the old Choices Video Store (pictured), which really needs to be used because of its prominent position on the high street.

Four units remain empty in the St Mary's Shopping Centre, and the asset manager for the Peer Group that owns the centre has said:

"We’re taking a positive approach to the retail mix in the St Mary Shopping Centre."

"We are delighted to have the one or two charity shops at the moment but it is important to provide shops that will not only add to the mix of the type of retailers but also attract new customers."

"We still have a couple of shops with the receivers but we are looking ahead and we are aware Thornbury needs a shoe shop, so we have contacted all the shoe retailers telling them there is a real opportunity in Thornbury."

So all in all news seems to be positive, but I am now sceptical about the lack of an update about the proposed £6 million revamp of St Mary's that was discussed last year. Perhaps the town's success in attracting new business has made it an unnecessary enterprise? Let me know if you have heard anything about this!