Pooks Commercial Property Consultants of Shrewsbury report that, despite recent negative reports in the media, it is not all doom and gloom in the retail sector.

According to the British Retail Consortium-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor January 2009, UK retail sales rose by 1.1% on a like-for-like basis and 3.2% on a total basis from January 2008. By both measures, the report records that this was the best performance since May, when sunny weather (remember that?) had boosted sales.

Research carried out by Deloitte indicated that three quarters of all retailers recorded positive like-for-like sales over the Christmas period. Trading had not been as bleak as many had feared, with an average sales increase of 2.8% across the retailers surveyed.

Since the beginning of the New Year Pooks have received a number of enquiries for retail premises in Shrewsbury and are pleased to report increased activity in the town's principal Shopping Centres. Acting for the owners, Pooks have agreed lettings in all three Shopping Centres (Pride Hill/Darwin/Riverside), with further units under offer. Elsewhere in the town, Pooks have a number of other units under offer, including the former KFC premises at 1 Barker Street. Suburban shops are also proving popular, in particular in Frankwell, where the new Entertainment Venue, Theatre Severn, opens next month. The letting of 127 Frankwell has been completed to Shape Up & Go with a further unit nearby currently under offer.

Hopefully this positive start to the year will continue throughout 2009.

Shops currently available through Pooks include:

For further details of our wide range of commercial property please contact us on 01743 276633 or visit www.pooks.co.uk