Forfar’s reputation as the vibrant county town of Angus remains strong.
The town centre features a mix of independents – many long-established – and big name high street outlets.
But on the main shopping thoroughfares of East High Street, West High Street and Castle Street there are some glaring gaps.
Several have been vacant for a number of years.
Here we take a look at some of the prime town centre retail opportunities.
1. M&Co, East High Street
The one-time fashion store is the town’s largest empty shop.
It closed when the retailer went into administration in 2022. M&Co subsequently relaunched online.
The premises at 62-72 East High Street are on the market with a £375,000 price tag.
They were offered at auction in 2024 with a £150,000 starting price and drew a top bid of £259,500.
Shepherd Chartered Surveyors are marketing the property.
The building features 23,100 sq ft of space over three floors and includes a large car park to the rear.
2. Scottish Hydro Electric, Castle Street
In 2016, the Forfar branch was part of a cull of almost 40 Scottish Hydro Electric shops by energy giant SSE.
The shop at 29 Castle Street sits between Greggs and the Royal Hotel.
It is being offered for lease, or possible sale, by Culverwell.
An annual rental figure in excess of £20,000 is being sought.
The double-fronted shop occupies the ground floor of a three-storey building.
It has retails space and storage amounting to 1,300 sq ft.
3. TSB, East High Street
TSB shut its Forfar branch in April 2022 as part of a larger round of branch closures.
The move was attributed to a decline in in-branch use and an increase in digital banking.
The premises have been unoccupied since then.
They are being offered for lease by CBRE. However, the company’s website does not contain particulars for the property at 20 East High Street.
4. Peacocks, Castle Street
Fashion firm Peacocks suddenly closed its outlet at 45 Castle Street in September 2020.
The premises have lain empty since.
They are also being offered for lease by Culverwell, with annual rental on application.
The shop is on the ground floor of a three-storey tenement building.
It has 6,087 sq ft of space, as well as parking and loading space to the rear on Myre Road.
5. Rennie’s Butchers
Rennie’s at 8 East High Street closed in 2024.
It was a popular and longstanding family-run butcher’s.
The ground-floor unit extends to 1,402 sq ft.
Towards the rear of the shop there is storage, refrigeration and WC facilities.
Offers over £80,000 are being sought by Graham and Sibbald.
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