A property company which is trying to create a Nottingham version of Carnaby Street now wants to do the same in Derby.
ALB Group has been snapping up empty shop units in Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate and Lister Gate, which had become a shadow of its former self due to the closure of a number of key outlets.
Arran Bailey, managing director of the Nottingham-based firm, said he wants to attract a new generation of independent retailers to the area.
Now the business has bought seven buildings in Derby’s Albion Street and East Street with a view to doing the same again.
The buildings, some of them now empty, have housed the likes of GAP Outlet, Goldsmiths jewellers, Sweet Emporium, Card Market, and EE.
The firm has also bought upper floors of 1 Albion Street, which it wants to convert to apartments.
ALB is planning to offer shorter, more flexible leases and lower rents for the shop units in order to attract a new generation of independent retailer, as well as hospitality and leisure businesses.
The developer also owns the building formerly occupied by the Burton menswear store in Derby’s Victoria Street, where it plans to announce a new tenant shortly.
Mr Bailey said: “The hugely positive reaction we’ve received as a result of our efforts to create a cool, Carnaby Street vibe in Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate area has spurred us into trying to achieve the same in Derby city centre.
“Albion Street and East Street have been important focal points for Derby’s retail offer for decades, but, like many high streets in Britain, they’ve fallen on hard times.
“Our belief is that we need to change tack slightly and encourage more local, independent businesses onto the high street – ones that offer something different, and more exciting so that we create more reasons to visit and increase the footfall.”
He said that, to do that, landlords had to be more flexible and affordable in their lease arrangements, which would benefit everyone, from building owners to retailers to shoppers.
He said: “Derby’s a great city. It’s seen some difficult times in recent years, but we think it’s now finding its feet again as is definitely on the up.”
Phil Daniels of FHP Property Consultants represented ALB in this off market transaction agreed with Threadneedle fund managers.
Mr Daniels said: “We’d love to see more niche, independent entrepreneurs come into the area around Albion Street and East Street and give it a welcome new lease of life.
“We applaud the vision and ambition of Arran Bailey and ALB Group.
“Without this kind of approach – creating a scenario where smaller traders feel confident enough to afford high street prices – we would no doubt be seeing the slow death of the city centre.
“Derby shoppers will no doubt welcome a more exciting, varied and altogether more local breed of retailer, and it will be fantastic to see a buzz returning to the city centre.
“Acting on behalf of ALB Group, we have now acquired numerous properties all over the UK for reletting, repurposing and conversion of upper parts into quality residential accommodation. We are actively seeking more opportunities UK wide in 2022.”
