HUNTINGDON town centre has attracted half a dozen new niche retail businesses in just a few weeks.

HUNTINGDON town centre has attracted half a dozen new niche retail businesses in just a few weeks.

The new outlets offer a range of goods and services from photography through legal services to healthy eating.

Five of the six new outlets are in Huntingdon High Street: the sixth – an espresso bar and fine foods shop called Delites– is due to open near the former cinema in All Saints’ Passage.

Meanwhile, discussions continue on the future of some larger vacant retail sites, including those previously occupied by Marks & Spencer in the High Street, and Superdrug and Halfords in St Benedict’s Court. Of these, only M&S, which sold ‘simply food’, has left the town: Superdrug is now in St Germain Walk and Halfords moved to larger premises on Stukeley Road.

In addition, there is a rumour that following the Clarks shoe shop move from St Benedict’s Court to Chequers Court, its previous premises will soon become host to a retail butcher.

The new outlets in the High Street include orange, the mobile phone giant, which is taking over the premises formerly occupied by the Yours clothing shop, next to the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society.

“It is fantastic news for Huntingdon that so many businesses are prepared to invest in our town during these challenging times,” town centre manager Katy Sismore told The Hunts Pos. “I really feel quite chipper about it.

“The diverse nature of these businesses creates a reason for shoppers and visitors to come to Huntingdon.

“I will do anything I can to support the new enterprises, our established businesses and promote Huntingdon, which ultimately benefits everyone, she added.”

The former Cambridge Building Society premises are now occupied by Enis’z – a company offering men’s barbering and massage facials – and HC Solicitors have taken over the premises that previously housed Price Property, which is no longer trading.

Professional photographers Jewell-Harrison Studios, which are also in Bedford, Cambridge and Milton Keynes, has moved in above stationer Coleman’s on the corner of Grammar School Walk.

“Now we are really cutting the mustard,” Mrs Sismore exclaimed.

As reported on this page two weeks ago, TriSportsplus, specialising in equipment for triathletes, has just opened at the bottom of the High Street, where Cambridge Wine Merchants used to trade.

The shops in Chequers Court and St Germain Walk are more or less all occupied, although the Post Office premises remain empty following the stamps-to-passports business’s transfer to WH Smith.