Shrewsbury retail chief upbeat on hopes for 2025

Kevin Lockwood,  Centre Manager at Darwin Shopping Centre, said retailers had reported an 'okay' performance during the weeks around Christmas and into the new year.

But he revealed  he'd seen and heard positive signs during what is always a lull in January. 

And he said the leisure side of the Darwin Centre, businesses such as The Axe Factor and LevelUp Escapes, had reported 'very positive' spells. 

Mr Lockwood said: "I think that leisure side has been particularly good. 

"The Axe Factor and Level up Escape provided positive festive updates, due to parties and people getting together in small groups. 

"A lot of shopping centres are looking at bringing in such experiences and it's about finding the right occupiers for the spaces you have. 

"We are fortunate we can do that here. It's a great offer for us. 

"It brings groups of people together and we obviously hope they then spend a little more money in the shopping centre as a whole when they visit.  It works well for us.

He added:  "For other retailers, the late December and early January period was okay but could have been  better. 

"Shrewsbury was hit by the weather in December but most retailers I have spoken to seemed positive. 

"January and February, in the run up to Easter, can be tough  and the autumn budget brought its own challenges,

"But retail is resilient and the public soon start thinking towards their holidays and look to the spring." 

Mr Lockwood said the Darwin Shopping Centre is likely to see fresh arrivals in 2025. 

"We have had early interest for units, from a mixture of businesses,  and there are people out there that are looking to come into the shopping centre and into the town," he added. 

"It's positive that people have headed into January and are engaging with our agents. Shrewsbury does buck the trend on vacancy rates and footfall is great.  We are in a far better place than a lot of towns and cities."