The new owner of the Castle Place shopping centre in Trowbridge says its revival is beginning to gain momentum.

West Yorkshire property developer Tahir Ali bought the 70,469 sq ft covered shopping centre in February for £534,000 and lost some of the market hall tenants.

But now he’s managed to sign up a European grocery store for unit 32 on the right-hand side of the front entrance in Market Street.

Mr Ali said: “We are on the precipice of a few other things happening. By the end of September, we will definitely have an update.

“We are just trying to gain some momentum and we have a few things coming to fruition but nothing that I can discuss right now.”

The new European mini-market will open in the former McColls convenience store on the right-hand side of the Castle Place front entrance.The new European mini-market will open in the former McColls convenience store on the right-hand side of the Castle Place front entrance. (Image: Trevor Porter)

 

 

Mr Ali is hoping to attract other new tenants, working through local commercial agent Simon Brickell, of Brockhurst Property Management in Corsham.

James Gregory, of Alder King, is handling national enquiries from prospective tenants, and is hoping to attract big brand names to the larger units.

Built in 1974, the Castle Place Shopping Centre is home to 17 retail units and a further 32 market stalls.

Catering for the Trowbridge community, the centre has 475 free car parking spaces, bike stations and ease of access to local bus routes.

Castle Place owner Tahir Ali is hoping to attract big brand names to the units in the main shopping mall.Castle Place owner Tahir Ali is hoping to attract big brand names to the units in the main shopping mall. (Image: Trevor Porter)

There are a variety of units on offer ranging from 200 sq ft to over 20,000 sq ft.  They can be interconnected or sub-divided as required.

The centre includes the former Sir Isaac Pitman Wetherspoon pub on the left-hand side of the front entrance, as well as the market hall downstairs.