Recently leased buildings in Nelson’s CBD are: Top left; An Asian food store will take part of the former Number One Shoes building. Bottom left; Barkers is now on Trafalgar St. Centre; part of the former ANZ building on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Sts has been leased. Top right; Mobilic has entered the old Marshalls Fashions building. Bottom right; F45 is moving in on Bridge St. Photos: Kate Russell.

LEASED: CBD shops fill up

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Nelson’s CBD is fighting back against empty shops with a surge of new leases being signed for business premises right across the city.

66 Bridge Street, which used to be Marshalls Fashions, has been leased to chain store Mobilic – a mobile phone accessory shop which opened last Friday.

The former Number One Shoes building in Montgomery Square has also been split into several small premises, with one already being leased to an Asian food store.

F54 gym and Coffee 101 is set to open at 101 Bridge St, and part of the former ANZ building on the corner of Trafalgar and Hardy Sts has also been leased.

Barkers clothing store has also moved to an empty high-profile Trafalgar St site and Hunter Furniture has taken over an empty space at 29 Vanguard St.

Bayleys Nelson commercial property specialist Gill Ireland says things are looking up for the CBD.

“There is quite a bit of outside interest and a few large companies from Auckland and Christchurch are looking at space here. Nelson is more on their radar now.”

“Things have been ticking away for a while and now it’s gaining momentum.”

Colliers Nelson sales and leasing broker, Ken Montgomery, agrees.

“Things are definitely picking up. People also need to remember that some vacancy is normal,” he says.

Nelson mayor Rachel Reese says it’s encouraging to see business owners investing and committing to our city centre.

“The changes we have been seeing over the last few months are a natural part of the property cycle. We are also seeing businesses adapt and this can mean moving their location to make the most of different trends, and this is encouraging.”