Woodley town centre is proving a microcosm of what is happening in the retail world nationally, according to Reading agent Hicks Baker.
Retail director Fiona Brownfoot has been involved in six deals at the town’s Crockhamwell Road centre, some of them still ongoing, where corporate retail giants have given way to smaller operators.
In recent months:
- La’De Kitchen, a family-owned Mediterranean restaurant has taken the former Prezzo unit
- Small greetings card chain House of Cards has taken the former Clarks shoe shop
- A new independent gift shop has taken the former New Look unit
- Berkshire Glazing and a small milkshake bar have each taken a share of the former Santander unit
- The former HSBC unit has gone under offer to an independent food operator
- The former Lloyds pharmacy has gone under offer to a children’s play and café operator
The town, to the east of Reading, falls largely within the Wokingham borough.
Ms Brownfoot said: “I wrote, some years ago, ‘give it five years and we will have much more interesting high streets’. Woodley is a perfect example of what has happened.
“It’s corporates out, indies in. Places like Woodley have benefitted from what’s gone on because people have shopped more locally.
“Rents have dropped slightly but this represents a microcosm of what has happened in the world of retail. People now favour open spaces everywhere and Woodley has that as well as very good surface car parking.”
Image: Google.
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As a Woodley resident for 45 years I have seen an enormous change to the precinct shops. Once we had ‘indi’ shops, green grocers, butchers, toy shops, sports shops. Although I like all the ‘indie’ shops we have in Woodley I do think many of those retail giants are a loss to Woodley. It is very inconvenient for most Woodley residents but particularly for people with disabilities, the elderly, wheelchair users, and children. Now we all have to travel further away, often by car, rather than walk to Clark’s to buy shoes or get feet measured. A loss of three banks is a devastating blow to those unable to bank online. Many people rely on ‘ popping into ‘ their local bank to discuss money problems. Now they have to drive into Reading and pay for car parking or wait for a bus, which for some is a very difficult task!
It is also important to have a mix of retail shops; Woodley has a plethora of charity shops, gift shops and food outlets!
Where are the independent grocers, butchers, fish mongers, bakers, hardware shops?