YORK’S suburbs are enjoying a retail boom in the wake of the pandemic and the working from home revolution.

While some city centre shops are lying empty for months or even years, suburban retail units are being snapped up within days of becoming available to let, says commercial property agent John Hornsby.

He said demand had become so great that there was a shortage of properties to offer to potential occupants, and lettings had been concluded in record time in locations including Acomb, Burton Stone Lane, New Earswick and Haxby.

He said they included:

  • A shop unit in Gale Lane, Acomb, which went under offer for use as a sandwich shop within 48 hours of being marketed
  • A small unit in Burton Stone Lane which let to a hairdressers within days of being listed.
  • The former South Yorkshire Credit Union premises at Acomb Court, which was let to Jazzy J’s Dance Studio.
  • The former Chill in the Community cafe at Acomb Court, which will reopen as another cafe, Laughing Llama.
  • A small shop in Regent Buildings, Acomb, which received two offers within days following its listing.

He said a recent listing of the former Betfred Unit on Bishopthorpe Road was resulting in a number of inquiries and other recent successes had included the letting of a large retail unit in Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick, and the freehold sale of a former dental practice premises in The Village, Haxby.

Mr Hornby, who is based in Acomb, said he felt the increase in home working and a reluctance to use public transport during the worst of the pandemic were two reasons why suburban shopping was so popular.

But he also felt the public was keen to support local independent businesses, which tended to be based out of town, and shoppers were attracted by free parking which was usually available in suburban locations.

“Of course, many of the well known high street names which might have attracted people to go into the city have now gone, so there are less reasons to visit the centre,” he said, adding that cheaper suburban shops were also usually below the threshold for rate payments.

Chantal Charles-Smith, who is opening the Laughing Lama cafe and bistro at Acomb Court, off Front Street, said she wanted to provide somewhere convenient for parents to come with their families for a coffee and a chat. “It’s sometimes quite difficult getting into town with two toddlers,” she said.

Christine Dudzinska, who is opening Lifecycle Ceremonies and Last Wishes Funerals at premises in Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick, having worked previously from home, said she chose that location because it was a “real community” and because there was free parking, unlike the city centre. “When you are bereaved, you don’t want to be struggling with parking,” she said.

Jess Meredith, who has just opened Jazzy J’s dance studio at Acomb Court after operating out of village halls for years, said she chose Acomb rather than the city centre because the rents were cheaper and the parking was easier, and it was close to where many customers lived.