The Arcade in Ashburton has another empty shop site following retailer Robilliard’s Showcase Jewellers moving out.
The jeweller last week relocated to a shop site on East St, which was previously occupied by Michael Hill Jeweller which recently closed.
The former Robilliard’s site joins the adjoining former Latitude magazine site in The Arcade, as empty and awaiting a new tenant. Latitude vacated the site about three months ago.
Other empty sites include the former Perrett Shoe & Bag Repairs, which closed about eight months ago.
Robilliard’s owner Mark (Roasty) Douglas said he and wife Jayne had been sad to leave The Arcade. ‘‘Very sad, it’s been all I have ever known since I bought the shop, in 2007,’’ Douglas said. However, moving to the former Michael Hill shop had been too good an opportunity to miss. It signified a return to the main street, where Robilliard’s began 128 years ago. And it had enabled purchase of the existing fit-out from the previous tenant.
The Arcade spokesperson Chris Redmond said The Arcade’s empty shop sites, including the former Robilliard’s, were available for lease.
‘‘We would love new tenants in The Arcade,’’ Redmond said.
The empty sites were a ‘‘a sign of the times’’. But he noted it was not all doom and gloom in Ashburton as businesses, including Stirling Sports on Tancred St, opened.
‘‘All the tenants (in The Arcade) are happy. It was just a good move for Roasty, we wish him the best,’’ Redmond said.
