empty shops tagged articles - Bedford Independent

Bedford Ian writes…

09 January 2026: Baby talk, Cleaning up, Scorchio speedio, and Backlash backfired. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…

Beales building landlord confirms clean-up in the pipeline

The landlord of the former Beales building on Silver Street and Harpur Square has confirmed that it will be improving the exterior following the apparent departure of its most recent tenant...

Art sale and exhibition ‘with a twist’ at Bedford’s Old Arcade

A thriving town centre art studio is launching a new studio sale and exhibition with a twist at this weekend's 'The Big Fat Salon Hang' in the Old Arcade. Since moving into their space in The Arcade, the POP STUDIO4 artists have...

Christmas footfall up by 18% as town centre vacancy rates remain below national average

New research has shown that the number of empty shops is reducing throughout the UK, with Bedford having fewer than the national average. In addition, shoppers are...

Letters: An open letter to Bedford’s commercial landlords

Erica’s OpEd letter written to Mary Portas couldn’t have been timed better, and her reply was just the endorsement we need. Both she and Henry, Councillor Vann, have said...

Town centre mythbusting: from rent and rates to tree roots

Council confirms it is actively discussing the future of the Debenhams building

In the aftermath of the news that Bedford's Debenhams store will close on 4 May, Bedford Borough Council has confirmed that it is 'actively engaging and discussing' the future use of the building with its owners...

Harpur Centre’s Argos store becomes latest Bedford shop closure

The Argos store in Bedford's Harpur Centre is among 420 branches that will permanently close, it has been announced today (Thursday). The in-store Argos...

Creative opportunity to make art in Bedford’s empty M&S building

An independent charity is working with M&S to create opportunities for artists in some of the company's empty units. The former M&S in Bedford is among...

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