May 10, 2017 2.08 pm This story is over 82 months old

Search launched for new tenants of former Lincoln Ruddocks store

Agents are calling on the next generation of businesspeople to breath life into a historic Lincoln shop which has been left vacant after owners called it a day. Ruddocks of Lincoln closed its doors in April more than 160 years after the family business was first launched in the city. The shop stocked stationery, art…
Ruddocks of Lincoln

Agents are calling on the next generation of businesspeople to breath life into a historic Lincoln shop which has been left vacant after owners called it a day.

Ruddocks of Lincoln closed its doors in April more than 160 years after the family business was first launched in the city.

The shop stocked stationery, art materials, toys and gifts. The Ruddock family has owned the property since March 1904.

It closed its doors for good on April 15. 

The former store is now available to rent at £130,000 a year, exclusive of business rates and VAT.

Commercial agents Banks Long & Co, who are marketing the distinctive, five-storey High Street building, say the building could suit another retailer or restauranteur.

Banks Long & Co Director James Butcher said: “Everyone was shocked and saddened when Mr Henry Ruddock decided to close the store, which was such a long-standing feature of Lincoln’s shopping scene.

“We are now marketing the premises widely and hope that the fact that they occupy such a visible and busy part of the city’s High Street, which attracts constant footfall, will help us to find new tenants quickly.

“There has been plenty of interest as you would expect and we have received a number of proposals, from both national retailers and restauranteurs.

“Lincolnshire has a population of nearly 550,000 people and Lincoln has a growing catchment area, which means the city has the power to attract spending of £984.40 million a year. The shopping habits of about 15,000 students have also helped to contribute an estimated £250 million to the local economy.

“Whilst there is much talk about the changes taking place on the country’s High Streets, Lincoln continues to steadily attract new names in food, leisure and retailing to the city – a trend that continued throughout the last Recession. This gives us confidence for further growth.”

In addition to retaining the High Street premises, Henry Ruddock also owns the award-winning Ruddocks design and print business in Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln.

For enquiries, businesses can contact Banks Long on 01522 544515.