Online shopping, the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have taken their toll on high streets around the country - and Harrow is no exception.
A quick walk around the town centre reveals an abundance of empty shop premises, with some going on the market recently and others having stood empty for years.
Harrow’s department store The Landmark closed its doors on Sunday (January 8), contributing to the lengthy list of shut stores in the area.
The Landmark opened its doors in November 2021, taking over the former Debenham’s store after the chain collapsed.
It traded over just two floors and managing director Adolfo de Advarado previously told the Harrow Times the shop marked “a new chapter” for Harrow.
The future for the six-storey building remains unclear, but 400 to 2,500 square ft of part of the property is now on the market.
According to estate agent Chamberlain Commercial, warehouse rental business Warespace is offering storage and business space in one floor of the building.
A description reads: “WareSpace is now open in Central Harrow and offers commercial space solutions for e-commerce, artisan manufacturing, offices, storage, personal trainers, charities & anyone seeking low cost business space on flexible monthly agreements.”
Units are available from just £800 per month plus VAT, including all bills and fibre connectivity.
What other commercial properties are on the market?
There are many other properties in the town centre on the market - some of them have been left empty for several years.
Former Pizza Hut, Station Road
It has been years since the popular pizza chain last opened its doors in Station Road.
The site has been sitting vacant, and Chamberlain Commercial is advertising the two-storey 2,691 sq ft unit.
According to an advert, the property is available to lease on a temporary two year agreement, the asking rent is £45,000 per annum plus VAT. The property is being offered as a suitable location for retail, offices, medical, leisure and gym use.
Located next to the former Poundland, this commercial space offers 2,900 sq ft space with an external terrace of a further 2,500 sq ft.
The property is on the second floor above the new B&Q convenience store that opened in November 2022.
An advert by Chamberlain Commercial reads: “The unit has its own ground floor entrance with large signage space, which leads to an entrance lobby with a private lift and stairs to the 2nd floor. Currently arranged as offices but has E class planning consent. The property may also lend itself to a restaurant, members club, shisha lounge, gym or a medical centre.”
A planning application has been put forward to build over the roof terrace and add additional floors, with there being scope for residential conversion.
Former Sports Direct, 36 St Ann’s Road
While this Sports Direct is no longer open, a store can still be found just minutes away in St Ann’s Shopping Centre.
Described as a “prime lock-up retail unit”, the shop has a ground floor space of 1,746 sq ft and rear loading access via Greenhill Way.
Chamberlain Commercial says the rental price is £70,000 per annum plus VAT. Alternatively the entire property can be purchased on a freehold basis with full vacant possession.
First floor unit, Greenhill Way
This unit found just off St Ann’s Road is available as a large single unit of 5,264 sq ft space, or two smaller units.
With a dedicated ground floor loading bay and lifts, the space is being advertised as ideally suited for a Lastmile delivery hub, a dark kitchen, local warehouse buyers, community groups, place of worship – subject to Harrow Council approval – and a gym.
It is going for £52,640 to £105,000 per annum.
This shop used to be eLEREP, an electronics store facing onto both Station Road and College Road in the town centre.
Now it is listed as a ground floor with a total area of 1,750 sq ft, with 1,250 sq ft of this being retail space.
The asking rent is £70,000 per annum.
Office space, 1-9 St Ann’s Road
Located in the centre of Harrow, the space on the second floor has undergone a “substantial refurbishment” with a new reception area and modern air-conditioned offices.
It has been split and the space is being offered a 330 sq ft office suite on a 12-month rental licence or longer by negotiation.
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