Lion & Lamb Yard’s success reflects Farnham’s retail revival

Farnham’s thriving retail scene continues to gain momentum, with the popular Lion & Lamb Yard seeing a surge in lettings and contributing to a town-wide reduction in vacancy rates, according to local commercial property expert, Curchod & Co.

Over the past twelve months, five units within the Lion & Lamb Yard have been successfully let, leaving just one unit remaining on the market.

This time last year, five units stood vacant, but today, only the former Ruby Mane premises remain available, with half of that unit already under offer to a beauty business, underlining the growing demand from both retail and hospitality tenants. National retailers, including The White Company and Jo Malone, have set up shop in the yard, adding to the centre’s vibrancy.

Matthew Munday of Curchod & Co commented on the transformation: “The Lion & Lamb Yard has become a hotspot for high-end and independent retailers, with brands like The White Company and Jo Malone choosing to open here. This resurgence highlights the growing confidence in the high street market, especially for well-established names.”

The recent lettings include Jo Malone, which moved into Unit 8 in September, and The White Company, which opened its doors in October 2023. Smaller businesses such as Holybourne Rare Books and Busby & Fox have also contributed to the mix, creating a dynamic blend of large national brands and independent retailers that reflect the Yard’s broad appeal.

The strong interest the final vacant unit has attracted, suggests the centre is on the brink of full occupancy. This achievement comes amidst a broader trend of declining vacancy rates across Farnham, with the town’s overall retail vacancy rate falling from 9.8% in Q2 to 9.15% in Q3.

This decline signals growing demand for commercial space across the town and is further supported by several new openings, including the luxury café chain Megan’s, set to launch on West Street by the end of the month.

Harry Ford, at Curchod & Co, is optimistic: “The influx of well-established brands into the town like Jo Malone and Megan’s shows Farnham’s appeal as both a shopping and dining destination. The decreasing vacancy rate is a testament to its resilience and attractiveness to national and local businesses alike.”

“The Lion & Lamb Yard’s resurgence and the town’s decreasing vacancy rates reflect a shared confidence in the local retail market, which continues to strengthen, bringing economic benefits to the area,” he added.

BACK TO NEWS