Duo of retail deals in Ilkley pave the way for the town ‘bucking the decline’
Two retail deals in the Grove area of Ilkley town centre are helping to buck the trend of high street decline.
Yorkshire property consultancy DE Commercial has supported two established Ilkley retailers, Nora’s Interiors and Gifts and The Ilkley Dress Agency, expand into larger premises having relocated from elsewhere in the town.
Richard Heslop, managing director of Ilkley-based DE Commercial, said that confidence in the town’s economy, including its independent retail sector, was high. He said: “This end of the popular Grove is now a vibrant area, full of successful independent shops, which is seeing a significant increase in footfall.
“The recent headlines about high street retail, notably the decline of well-known names such as Debenhams, Accessorize and LK Bennett, have been consistently depressing. So it’s worth telling a good news story about Ilkley and its thriving shopping scene.”
DE Commercial marketed 58 The Grove, a 715 sq ft shop, which is now the home of Nora’s Interiors and Gifts, and 56 The Grove, comprising 625 sq ft, which is now occupied by The Ilkley Dress Agency.
Mel Upham, who bought the The Ilkley Dress Agency in November last year, added: “The business was first established back in 1988 and for over 30 years traded from the Arcade in Ilkley. The lease expired at the time of purchase, so I approached Richard Heslop of DE Commercial and Richard brokered the deal for me at my prestigious new address – 56 The Grove.
“Professional throughout the negotiation and agreement of the lease with my new landlord, Richard Heslop was also very responsive, helpful and answered any questions or concerns I had in a timely manner. His approach was reassuring and when I signed the lease, I felt very confident and happy that this was the perfect location for the Ilkley Dress Agency.
“Since re-opening on The Grove, my business has prospered and grown significantly. Of course, Richard was a key part of making this happen.”
Nora’s Interiors and Gifts, which opened in 2010, has also relocated from the Arcade in the centre of Ilkley. Owner Victoria Kemp said: “We were placed in a position where we had to find premises to relocate our established business to within the town. With limited options to suit our requirements at the time, Richard Heslop was incredibly helpful throughout the whole process.
“Right from the first email, he responded swiftly to our enquiry and he helped us to secure 58 The Grove. His calm and professional manner was hugely appreciated at what was a very stressful time.
“We signed our new lease in February this year and reopened at 58 The Grove earlier this month. We’re very happy in our new premises and we’re grateful for all the assistance Richard provided,” she added.
These were two of a raft of recent instructions for the newly-formed DE Commercial.
