Cautious welcome as Witney council buys Marriotts Walk mall

West Oxfordshire District Council, the freehold owners, have bought the buildings and assets of the shopping centre.

A current business owner said no changes had been made yet and the approach was 'wait and see'.

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She said the centre was also improving following a period of high turnover of shops but M&S, New Look and Caffe Nero had always drawn customers.

The centre has seen stores come and go over the years with the large Debenhams premises remaining empty three years after it closed in January 2020.

Dorothy Perkins and Monsoon did not renew their 10-year leases in 2019 when Evans also closed.

Brets Burgers opened in February 2021 but relocated to cheaper premises in Witney in July 2022.

There are currently four empty shops – the former Brets Burgers, Debenhams, Crew Clothing and a restaurant/shop unit next door to Marks and Spencer.

However, the centre hosts national companies from Hobbs and Fat Face to local businesses such as The Shop, a boutique indie shop offering a platform for small businesses, The Ezina Sanctuary, Alfonso's Gelateria and Campden Wine Bar.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said he looked forward to seeing more outdoor events, more planting and more outdoor trading.

“Given we are not purely driven by rental income as many private owners would be, we can be more flexible and look at how the space can better benefit the community." he said.

“It was an opportunity that came up to really inject some energy and some vitality into the town centre at a really difficult time for retailers. So it’s great opportunity for us.

“We’re really keen to get behind our local businesses and that’s what this council is determined to do. We want to support the local economy and businesses."

Marriotts Walk centre manager Simon Jones said the future for the centre "we hope is a very bright one, particularly with the prospects of a new change of ownership".

He said: “We’re looking at certainly attracting more businesses to Marriotts Walk.

"It’s a very successful centre at the moment but we’re hoping with more businesses, particularly local businesses, that the centre will grow to be even more successful that it currently is.”

The 4.9 acre site was built in 2007 and includes 21 lettable business units along with a 590-space multi-storey car park.

It was let on a long lease originally to Kandahar Real Estate and more recently a subsidiary of Deutsche Bank.

Long-term business owner Richard Martin, of Witney Blanket Hall, said: "At the moment the jury is out. 

"It does seem as though when Marriotts Walk was laid out and built, WODC did not do as much as it could to get the best layout for the town.

"So what makes anyone think they are going to be successful commercial landlords?

"There are some indications that they do not really understand commercial activity and its importance to successful town centres.

"After all, West Oxfordshire District Council has watched mutely while Oxfordshire County Council, against trader and public opinion, has kept the High Street partially closed without a plan of any demonstrable sort."

But he added: "I do really hope WODC get off to a successful start with its new venture, just as I hope that our High Street is re-opened."

And Henry Mo, of Sandwich de Witney, who has had to reduce his opening hours due to loss of tradesmen's trade following the introduction of traffic restrictions in the Market Square, said: “As far as we know not many of them have retail business experience as we asked that question when the closing of the High Street was happening.

"They should concentrate on what they are good at.”

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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