Market town's enjoying a shopping boom
Business leaders in the Teignbridge market town say shop occupancy rate is higher than the national average and trade is roaring.
Sally Henley, town centre manager for Newton Abbot, said shop vacancy rate was 5.5 per cent which is less than half the 12 to 18 per cent national average.
Only 15 shops are empty in the town and even those which are empty do not stay vacant long.
A new baby shop, a new blinds and curtains shop and two estate agents have opened in recent weeks.
In February, Bon Marche clothes shop moved into the town and created 20 jobs.
Mrs Henley said the success of the town was down to its high level of independent traders.
"Newton Abbot is not a clone town like so many others," Mrs Henley said.
"In fact trade is buoyant. We have new shops opening and our empty unit rate is less than six per cent."
She added: "Other towns are cloned towns but although we have some big brand names, we have a lot of independent traders which is why it's a great place to shop. It's our strength.
"It's a positive time for Newton Abbot. If people don't want to stare at rows of empty shops they should come here."
The good news comes as Boots in Courtenay Street is being sold by auction house Jones Lang LaSalle for £2.7million.
Auctioneer Richard Auterac confirmed the sale would only lead to a change of landlord especially as Boots is renting the building for £200,000 a year until 2019.
Mr Auterac said the 19,359 sq ft prime retail position was in an 'affluent market town' and close to other brand names such as Barclays Bank, WH Smith, Dorothy Perkins and Costa Coffee.
Boots have also confirmed they were staying put at least until their lease runs out in 2019.
Mrs Henley added: "The success of Newton Abbot is nothing to do with business rate.
"The problem with places like Torquay is that they had a lot of big brands which went into administration. That's probably responsible for a lot of empty units.
"Shoppers feel depressed and don't support the shops that are left. For shops it's hard because they're not in a thriving battling environment. It's a downward spiral."
Neil Parnell, one of the directors at Inline Kitchen, an independent shop in Wolborough Street, said: "It's all about service. Independent shops offer a service which is second to none. Now we're getting to the stage where we want to be even more like Totnes and have more independent stores."
Julie Eales has just taken over an empty shop in Queen Street. She used to trade one day a week selling prams and push chairs at the local market but after three and half years, decided to take the plunge to move into more permanent premises.
She said: "By trading only one day I couldn't really be pro-active. The next step was to open a shop.
"Newton Abbot is really vibrant and really good for business.
"It's about offering something different and unique from standard shops."
Mrs Eales said her shop would be ready to open in a couple of weeks' time.
It is understood ASDA is also doing very well and has had to employ 50 new staff to cope with demand.
The Boots property is one three Devon freeholds being auctioned off by Jones Lang LaSalle at their July 9 sale.
One of the properties is in Vaughan Parade, Torquay.
The Grade-II listed building currently occupied by bookmakers Ladbrokes for an annual rent of £35,000 until 2021 is also up for sale with a £525,000 guide price.
Mr Auterac said: "These significant retail buildings are prominently located on prime pedestrianised streets, and are some of the best properties we have at our next auction.
"Like the housing market, the recession has had a deep impact on prices for commercial spaces, but for superior retail properties such as these, prices have reached the bottom and are now starting to rise again."
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