A host of local businesses have taken up units in a bid to revitalise a popular shopping arcade in Dorset.

New businesses have been setting up along Antelope Walk over the past month, as the owners, SLS Properties, has been offering competitive rents to attract local companies.

Acquiring the arcade in March last year, the company has invested more than £30,000 to date, primarily on roof repairs and internal decorating. 

Loving By Nature, Joey's and Creative Image Studio are among local businesses that have been opened along the walk recently. 

Dorset Echo: On top of this, a cat café named the Tabby Terrace, as well as a Beauty and Aesthetics business is soon to open. 

Dorset Echo: Angelina Hazelgrove, property manager of SLS Properties, said: “I am very excited to be working with local businesses to once again make Antelope Walk a beautiful, boutique shopping arcade in the heart of Dorchester.

Dorset Echo: “Since we acquired the arcade last March, we have successfully let five of the empty retail units to local independent businesses and we are delighted to be adding a cat café, baby clothing boutique, florist, beauty salon, and a children's tutoring business to the arcade."

"They will be joining the existing eclectic mix of unique businesses in Antelope Walk which include a high-quality gift shop, natural food shop, piercing salon and lingerie shop."

Dorset Echo: SLS properties have been working on bringing back the history to the area, with the owners looking to let the Oak Room as a tea room again. Historically, the building was used by Judge Jeffreys as the courtroom for the Bloody Assizes before becoming a tea room.

All properties have signs in them offering the weekly prices of rent, which range from £95 per week to £249.16 per week, with both not including tax.

These prices are inclusive of service charge, building insurance and rubbish collections.

Angelina went on to say: "We have aimed to offer very competitive rents in order to attract the right local businesses and get the arcade full again.

“On the small retail units, independent shops can normally benefit from small business rates relief. However, for the larger retail unit's high business rates are a major problem for the viability of new retail businesses. 

“We have completed five new rentals. We have remaining to let three retail shops, three offices and the historic oak tea room.

Dorset Echo: “We continue to invest significant amounts of money in the Antelope Walk Arcade. However, we will not be altering the Arcade’s unique and historic character - just preserving and revitalising it."

Neil Strudwick, Chair of Dorchester BID, said: “It’s great to see the progress on Antelope Walk recently with the units being taken up by independent businesses and the forward thinking of the landlord realising that empty retail units benefit nobody.

Dorset Echo:

“With this added with new businesses opening and the news of Whitbread opening up a Premier Inn in the town, Dorchester really is bucking national trends with its forward thinking and evolving town while keeping its rich history as its foundation.”

Steve Bulley, president of the Dorchester Chamber for Business, said: “Our members are encouraged to see Antelope Walk looking brighter with more units trading.

“It vital that a town the size of Dorchester has space for entrepreneurs to try their business ideas. We hope there is promotion to let people know the arcade is again a place to find vibrant shops.

“There is still work to do within the town centre including Hardye Arcade which has been is in need of some care and attention for a number of years.”