Council forced to put the big boys in the barracks

摘要

A council-backed development in Cardiff has failed to attract local retailers, despite offering them subsidised rents and rate concessions. Cardiff Council, in partnership with housing association Line Cymru, last year completed the development of Barrack Lane (left), which comprises nine shops in 4,500 sq ft and 27 flats. The mixed-use scheme was developed as a response to the reluctance of banks to lend in addition to high business costs. It was created with local occupiers exclusively in mind and is in a prime pitch next to St David's shopping centre. Rents are as low as £4.22/sq ft. However, eight of the nine units are unoccupied. It is in the retail quarter of the Cardiff Central enterprise zone. Andrew Gibson, senior surveyor at OTZ and agent on the scheme, says: "The move to open up the scheme is just a reality of the market."