Published: 01/12/2025 By Jan Merriott
Retail is alive and well, and the high street in some of our towns has made a good return from the post-Covid doldrums. It is different for sure, now led by food and beverage and service outlets, but we are even seeing that rare bird, fashion, make a return. Credit must be given to the community and councils for recognising the difficulties and organising special events and markets that have all helped in this resurgence. Commercial Manager Jan Merriott explains more about the sector's current status, and some commercial properties available locally, below.Whilst some towns still have an over-supply, rents have generally lowered and rate costs should follow to a degree, but we will still see some fringe units fall out of retail completely and find alternative uses.
The high street does have to compete with changing consumer habits, e-commerce, and the sluggish economy, but the unique locations across the region continue to offer customers an enjoyable experience and a sense of being which you don’t get online.
Bridport town centre is an example of a high street with very few vacant units and a high proportion of successful independent retailers. Currently available is this high quality, characterful, ground floor unit in a listed building in a very prominent position on East Street, with 1,795sqft of space for £39,500p/a.
Alternatively is this ground floor unit in Escalus House, with 1,900sqft space for £35,000p/a in the popular and prestigious location of Queen Mother Square in the Duchy of Cornwall’s Poundbury development.
For something larger on the edge of town and with parking, there are several retail showrooms currently available in the county town of Dorchester, including this unit adjacent to a local Sainsbury’s store and the County Hospital with 3,541sq ft for £63,500pa, or, further west into East Devon, on the edge of Axminster town centre is 2,767sqft available for £30,000 p/a.
Staying in the west of the county, the popular seaside town of Charmouth has a small unit of 563sqft for a lower budget of £9,000pa, or, for anyone wishing to purchase a going concern, there is the well-stocked general store of Morgans of Charmouth with a four-bedroom maisonette above, available for a guide price of £795,000.
If a quick deal is what you are looking for, look no further than our popular property auctions where there is a showroom in Blandford available at a guide price of £50,000 on 12 December 2025.
A popular trend nationally, as well as in Dorset, is the re-purposing of space such as large retail spaces for mixed use, residential, leisure and health services for example (with the correct use class permission) and Dorset Council are actively developing a new Economic Growth Strategy to boost the economy, attract investment and create jobs. Other initiatives include the Dorset Chamber of Commerce’s, ‘Revitalising the High Street’ campaign and the reform of business rates announced in the Autumn Statement.In essence, while the retail sector is challenging, there are pockets of resilience and growth driven by adaptation, unique locations and versatility, backed by favourable initiatives and improving economic conditions.
If you would like more information on our commercial property services, please contact Jan Merriott MRICS, Ryan Holmes AssocRICS, or Finn Rawlings at our Burraton Yard Office on 01305 261008 (option 3).
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