Three new businesses sign up for Coventry city centre

Although Covid-19 has halted much of Coventry city centre’s retail offer for the time being a hat-trick of deals has given a boost to life after lockdown.

Three new tenants have been secured for retail units in the centre city centre, with all of them brokered by commercial property agents Holt Commercial.

Holt Commercial has let two units in Hertford Street and one on Shelton Square and the company said it shows confidence in the city remains strong.

Two of the three deals see businesses locating to Coventry city centre for the first time and include a Leicestershire-based butchers and a new convenience and food store outlet.

The final unit has been let to Fantasy and Reality, which is relocating to 38 Hertford Street from its previous city centre premises on Smithford Way.

Chris Hobday, associate at Holt Commercial, said: “This is clearly very positive news, particularly in the current climate when getting deals done is difficult due to the logistical issues that result from lockdown and social distancing measures.

“The interest in city centre units has remained and, over recent months, we’ve attracted a diverse mix of businesses that have all added to the range of outlets in Coventry.

“The fact that we are still receiving enquiries, and concluding lease transactions in the current circumstances shows that the city continues to display strong appeal.”

Mr Hobday said while uncertainty remained there were a number of factors pointing to a brighter future for city centre retailing.

He added: “There are a number of factors that are making Coventry attractive but being UK City of Culture and the general improvements that are taking place in the city centre are certainly high among those having a positive impact.

“Nobody knows exactly when we will return to normal and what that normal will look like but these are positive signs that businesses have confidence in Coventry’s ability to recover.”