The retail scene in Chelmsford has been changing for many years. A boom in online services has seen people moving away from traditional high street stores and, certainly since the pandemic, there also appears to be a growth in leisure or hospitality units rather than retail. Some businesses have successfully managed to fight various challenges to survive and thrive on the High Street.
But there are also several instances of units having to close down and some of them have been vacant for some time. The state of high streets nationally has always been a topic of conversation and in Essex it's certainly no different. Chelmsford is fortunate to have two large shopping centres as well as a thriving Bond Street where luxury brands operate from.
New Harlow hospital at risk as Government confirms projects included in infrastructure review The beautiful Essex street that’s fashion centre and cafe galore Some units in Chelmsford have been empty and unused for a long time. Others get snapped up very quickly with just a short period of inactivity between occupants. So how much would it cost for businesses to fill some of Chelmsford's vacant units and re-energise the city's high street and shopping scenes? The former home of Charles Fish is in a prime position in Chelmsford.
It's currently on the market with Green & Partners for £110,000 per annum. The unit, which is on the corner of the High Street and New London Road, is within stumbling distance of the High Chelmer Shopping Centre. If you continue down New London Road you would come across the former home of Shwings.
Their Chelmsford restaurant was closed as they looked to move into private catering and their old home is on the market for £25,000 per annum through Elwell Taylor . Tucked away close to the Meadows Shopping Centre sat Ingrid Talosi Portraits. On Rightmove, it's described as having a "versatile layout that can accommodate a variety of business uses".
It's on the market with rent at a cost of £14,000 per annum. The Confectionary Shop, a former branch of Mr Simms Sweet Shop, shut earlier this year and is now ready for a new lease of life. It's in an area of high footfall with the Meadows nearby and Bond Street not too far either.
It's listed on Rightmove at £25,000 per annum although it's said to be 'under offer'. Chelmsford could experience further changes with enormous plans to redevelop the centre of Chelmsford which would see the demolition of buildings surrounding the Meadows Shopping Centre and transforming the centre itself into a "thriving riverside quarter". A planning application for the massive redevelopment has now been submitted, and will be decided at a later date.
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