A NEW lease of life has been breathed back into a prominent Lake District shopping centre.

When Manchester-based MCR Property Group bought the 16-store Quarry Rigg centre at Bowness early last year it underwent a major revamp costing upwards of £1million.

And now, there is good news for the site as more tenants move in.

Cafe operator Choccobar and clothing boutique Blue Owl are the latest to join a vibrant mixture of businesses including Laura Ashley, Mint Cake Mine, Age UK South Lakeland, Bowness Beauty, KD’s Café and The Bowness Deli and Sandwich Bar.

Johnathan Poole, head of commercial property at MCR Property Group and the landlord of Quarry Rigg, said: “We purchased the site this time last year, with nine vacant units available and the shopping centre commonly referred to as “Death Row” by the existing tenants.

"We as a company always knew that not only the busy tourist trade, but the local market were open to spending as general market conditions have improved. We saw it as a hidden gem.

"What Quarry Rigg also offers is low overheads for ingoing tenants in comparison to what else the market offers, the rents are lower due to the size of the units and a lot of the retail units pay very little in terms of business rates.

"We believed that once we had secured a few lettings, the shopping centre would gain some traction and further letting would come. With some pro active marketing and widening the net in terms making people aware of the shopping centre outside of Bowness, we have achieved our goal.

"We have two units left with steady interest, we now believe this is an example that consumer spending is back and we hope to have the shopping centre fully let for the summer."

Chartered Surveyors Edwin Thompson have been instructed to secure new tenants for the remaining two stores.

John Haley, commercial partner at Edwin Thompson, said: "With only two units available, the scheme is 90 per cent let highlighting the strong location and good tenant demand in one of the busiest and most popular tourist towns in the Lake District.

"The available units are suitable for a range of retail, consultancy, office or clinic uses at competitive rentals and on flexible lease terms."