Town Centre Revival: How Secondary Retail Units Are Finding New Life

From quiet shopfronts to vibrant local hubs

Walk through many North West town centres today and you’ll see a story unfolding — one of change, resilience, and renewal. While the national retail headlines often focus on decline, the reality on the ground is far more dynamic. Across towns like Bury, Middleton, and Oldham, secondary retail units are being reinvented — not replaced — and it’s driving a new kind of local revival.

At Citrus Commercial Circle, we’ve seen this transformation first-hand. As letting agents and advisors for town-centre premises across Greater Manchester, we understand how secondary retail properties are adapting, attracting new occupiers, and anchoring local regeneration.

1. The Changing Face of the High Street

The way people shop has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Online retail, hybrid working, and lifestyle shifts have reduced demand for traditional large-format retail. But that hasn’t meant the end of the high street — far from it.

Instead, we’re witnessing a redistribution of demand. Smaller, more flexible retail units in secondary locations are thriving, often serving:

Independent retailers and service-led businesses, like barbers, cafés, and beauty clinics.
Experiential operators, including fitness studios and wellbeing centres.
Professional services, such as accountants, lettings agents, and clinics that benefit from footfall but don’t rely on impulse trade.

These occupiers are building the next chapter of town-centre success — one built on local connection and community relevance.

2. Why Secondary Retail Is Gaining Strength

Secondary retail units — typically smaller, more affordable premises located just off primary high streets — have a number of key advantages:

Lower overheads make them ideal for independent and growing businesses.
Flexible layouts allow for quick adaptation and creative use.
Localised demand from residents who shop, work, and socialise closer to home.
Easier access for customers and staff, often with nearby parking.

The result is a more diverse, service-oriented tenant mix that brings life and footfall back to areas once seen as quiet or transitional.

3. The Impact of Hybrid Working

The post-pandemic world has rebalanced daily life. With more people working from home or on flexible schedules, local town centres have become increasingly important.

Instead of commuting into Manchester city centre, people are spending more of their week — and more of their disposable income — locally. This has boosted the market for:

Convenience retail and coffee shops.
Health, fitness, and wellness operators.
Boutique and creative services.

Secondary retail locations are benefiting directly from this shift, as they cater to these everyday needs within walking distance of residential areas.

4. Examples from Across Greater Manchester

Citrus Commercial Circle is proud to represent a growing portfolio of town-centre and secondary retail premises — helping landlords attract the right occupiers for today’s market.

For example:

Our appointment to market high-profile town-centre premises on behalf of a corporate landlord reflects renewed investor confidence in well-located retail stock.
Towns such as Bury and Middleton are seeing strong interest from service occupiers and local traders seeking affordable, central spaces.
Many previously vacant units are now occupied by clinics, independent retailers, or hybrid office users.

Each of these lettings contributes to a wider story of revival — one where professional marketing, local expertise, and strong tenant relationships drive long-term value.

5. The Role of Local Authorities

Town-centre regeneration is now a policy priority across Greater Manchester. Councils are actively:

Encouraging re-use of existing retail and commercial buildings.
Supporting mixed-use regeneration, combining retail, residential, and leisure.
Investing in public realm improvements to increase footfall and community engagement.

This alignment between public-sector investment and private-sector activity creates fertile ground for landlords and investors to reposition their assets successfully.

6. Adapting to New Occupier Needs

Secondary retail premises today must meet a broader range of occupier requirements than ever before. Landlords who adapt can significantly improve demand and reduce voids.

Key considerations include:

Good signage and visibility, even off main streets.
Modern interiors, with clean finishes and adaptable layouts.
Strong connectivity, including Wi-Fi and digital infrastructure.
Sustainability upgrades, which are increasingly valued by tenants.

Simple improvements can elevate a unit’s appeal dramatically — often at modest cost. At Citrus Commercial Circle, we frequently advise landlords on targeted refurbishments that deliver rapid results.

7. Investment Perspective

From an investment standpoint, secondary retail offers attractive fundamentals:

Lower capital entry costs compared to prime retail or office stock.
Stronger yields, reflecting risk-adjusted value.
Growing tenant diversity, reducing reliance on any single sector.
Potential for redevelopment, including conversion of upper floors or mixed-use expansion.

For landlords and investors seeking dependable, locally driven income, this segment of the market is performing quietly but consistently well.

8. Citrus Commercial Circle’s Experience

Our role extends beyond marketing. We act as strategic partners to landlords — helping them understand occupier demand, price accurately, and reposition assets for today’s market.

Whether advising on:

Town-centre portfolios for corporate clients,
Individual secondary retail instructions, or
Mixed-use regeneration strategies —

we combine professionalism, market knowledge, and local insight to deliver results.

Our ethos remains simple: treat every property as if it were our own, ensuring high standards, careful representation, and genuine value creation.

Final Thoughts: The Local Revival

The story of secondary retail in 2025 isn’t one of decline — it’s one of reinvention. Town centres across the North West are rediscovering their strength through smaller, smarter, and more community-focused occupiers.

For landlords and investors, the lesson is clear: there is strong and growing demand for well-presented, well-positioned secondary retail premises. By embracing flexibility, investing in presentation, and partnering with the right agent, property owners can play a leading role in the ongoing town-centre revival.

At Citrus Commercial Circle, we’re proud to help drive that renewal — connecting landlords, occupiers, and communities to create thriving local economies once again.

Citrus Commercial Circle – Where standards meet success.