Following the shock closure of Joules in atria Watford, we strolled around the shopping centre to see how many empty units there are.

The most well-known vacancy is at the former John Lewis unit, which the shopping centre recently put a minor planning application in for but refused to disclose more details.

The unit where Next used to be, before merging with its other atria store, is still boarded up, and the former Carphone Warehouse shop is also empty.

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Demand remains high, a spokesperson for the shopping centre said, with positive conversations with potential tenants ongoing and "some at an advanced stage".

In total we found 13 units that are currently unoccupied. Atria did not grant us permission to take pictures, so we have described where the empty units are below. 

Lower mall

  • Empty shop, which was once a newsagent, by the Shoecare repair shop.
  • Next unit which was by the current Lloyds Bank.
  • Lipsy shop was between the former Next and Three store.
  • Joules was next to Blu Inc clothing store.
  • John Lewis is next to WH Smiths on the lower and upper malls.
  • Ponti’s Italian restaurant was next to Boots.

Upper mall

  • Gourmet Burger Kitchen was next to David Clulow Opticians
  • The unit next to Chi Street Food is empty and next door is the former Pizza Hut that is no longer open.
  • Carphone Warehouse’s empty store is between Swarovski and Ernest Jones.
  • Ed’s Easy Dinner is opposite Marks and Spencer’s.
  • The unit between Mobile Bitz and Footlocker is also boarded up.
  • Between Juice Bar Fuel and Sports direct is a shop with its shutters down.
  • The shop next to Sweets from Heaven is also boarded up.

An Atria spokesperson said demand for prime retail space remains strong.

A spokesperson added: “We are in positive conversations with potential tenants on vacant spaces at the centre, with some at an advanced stage.

“We expect to issue a formal update on Next's former site at the centre in January 2023, with others following in Q1.”

They also pointed to additions such as HMV, Boutique One, Esla Barbers, Victoria's Secret, Lids and Trespass.

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