Waterlooville greengrocers remains open in precinct with 10 empty units

LOYAL customers are keeping a green oasis alive in a desert of shut down businesses.
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Waterlooville Fruiterers in Wellington Way, Waterlooville is remaining open for business for the foreseeable future, despite 10 neighbouring units being empty due to lack of business.

Andrew Price, who owns the shop, said the shops would not be open if it was not for his loyal customer base. He has a lease for another two years at the store – but wants to keep trading after this ends.

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The majority of the surrounding units are now either being used as charity shops, or are completely empty, with no current public plans for them to be filled.

Andy Price, owner of Waterlooville Fruiterers in Wellington Way.Andy Price, owner of Waterlooville Fruiterers in Wellington Way.
Andy Price, owner of Waterlooville Fruiterers in Wellington Way.

The quiet precinct is just off from Waterlooville’s high street.

Mr Price said that the location, which is tucked away from the main high street, and the lack of other open shops, has meant footfall has dropped off significantly.

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His hope is to remain trading within Waterlooville town centre and he wants to make sure that his regular customers will follow him to ensure the business survives.

Waterlooville Fruiterers in Wellington Way in Waterlooville. Waterlooville Fruiterers in Wellington Way in Waterlooville.
Waterlooville Fruiterers in Wellington Way in Waterlooville.
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He said: ‘We are a small business and we currently find ourselves in a situation where we are trading amongst lots of units that have closed down and with no real potential to be filled.

‘At the present time we don’t seem to have any idea of what the future holds for us in terms of the shop being relocated to another part of Waterlooville and what other options are available to us.’

The business has a two-year lease remaining and Mr Price hopes to continue trading for a long time after it ends.

Wellington Way in Waterlooville, where the majority of the units are empty due to businesses shutting down from lack of trade. 
Wellington Way in Waterlooville, where the majority of the units are empty due to businesses shutting down from lack of trade.
Wellington Way in Waterlooville, where the majority of the units are empty due to businesses shutting down from lack of trade.
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He said: ‘We very much hope that the loyalty that we have from the customers remains in place and allows us to continue trading for a significant period of time, so that when the day does arrive, that we do have to move, that we have a significant business to take forward.’

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