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SHOPPERS to Market Walk are discovering a thriving centre in the heart of Northampton.

Alongside popular national retailers including Next, Dorothy Perkins, Evans and Greenwoods, are a growing group of local independent retailers who are able to offer something different to customers.

There are now opportunities for more independent retailers to operate from the centre, in a warm and neighbourly environment, and one which focuses on the needs of its customers.

Centre manager Mark Austin said: “We believe shoppers really appreciate the wide range of stores all under one roof.

SHOPPERS to Market Walk are discovering a thriving centre in the heart of Northampton.

Alongside popular national retailers including Next, Dorothy Perkins, Evans and Greenwoods, are a growing group of local independent retailers who are able to offer something different to customers.

There are now opportunities for more independent retailers to operate from the centre, in a warm and neighbourly environment, and one which focuses on the needs of its customers.

Centre manager Mark Austin said: “We believe shoppers really appreciate the wide range of stores all under one roof. We work hard at creating a shopping centre which has the right mix of stores including leading fashion retailers to meet the tastes and budgets of a wide range of customers.”

The ‘good looks’ of the centre, originally called Peacock Place, do mean that often independent retailers are surprised at the value-for-money rents available to those who want to join the line-up.

“We already have a selection of independent retailers renting various units in the scheme, but we now hope other businesses will witness their successes and in turn realise the opportunities Market Walk can provide,” said Mark. The centre has a selection of available units ranging in size from 350 square feet all the way up to a larger unit which could provide up to 12,000 square feet.

“We have flexible space and are able to create bespoke units to suit specific retailer’s requirements. We are very keen to work with operators who value being in Northampton town centre and recognise the fresh opportunities that Market Walk has to offer their businesses.”

The centre’s well maintained facilities include easy access for those with mobility difficulties and public toilets.  Shoppers can also take a break at the thriving Rendezvous Cafe.

Mark said: “We know shoppers appreciate the centre’s facilities and we now hope more will want to consider trading from Market Walk.”

Start-up businesses have already benefitted from the support offered by the centre’s management team, who work closely with Northampton Borough Council to offer traders the possibility of a grant from the local authority. The most recent example of this is mother and daughter duo Helen and Christina Dawson, who opened their new barber shop ‘Just4Men’ in Market Walk having received support and guidance from Northampton Business Improvement District (BID) team. Michael Dawson, who supports his wife Helen with their new barber shop, said: “We were put in touch with Northampton BID by the manager of Market Walk, who supported us by helping us locate ourselves in a previously empty retail unit in the shopping centre. Northampton is a wonderful place to be based and we plan to be here for a very long time.”

A spokesman for Northampton BID said: “This support complements and reinforces a new £250,000 Business Incentive Scheme launched in April by Northampton Borough Council. The council are currently vetting a number of potential qualifiers for the scheme and are open to discussions with anyone considering starting their own business or relocating from their existing location.

Mark added: “Understandably some business people can feel daunted setting up a store and trading alongside household names but we believe that at Market Walk, there is a real opportunity for independent entrepreneurs to flourish.”

 

For more information on the centre and the BID, feel free to contact us on 01604 233034.

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