Shops & Retail Units to Rent in East of England

Bedford Retail to Rent

The Harpur Centre, Bedford’s premier shopping centre, is open seven days a week with over 30 stores trading over two levels. The Harpur Centre is situated in the heart of Bedford and is the principal shopping centre within the town, anchored by Primark. Other notable tenants include Energie Fitness, Starbucks, Greggs, Vodafone, Specsavers, and Geek Retreat. The Shopping centre has recently undergone a £5 million internal and external refurbishment, including new flooring throughout, signage, lighting, increased ceiling heights, and water closet. facilities. The Harpur Centre also offers free Wi-Fi throughout. The Harpur Centre provides a natural link between Midland Road and the main town centre through to the Riverside Leisure scheme, which is anchored by a seven-screen Vue Cinema. The tenant lineup also includes Wagamama, Zizzi, Anytime Fitness, Albero Lounge, and Miller & Carter. Bedford is located 49 miles northwest of London, and easily accessible from the M1 to the west, and the A1 to the east.

Date on Market:

23/06/2026

Loughton Retail to Rent - Epping Forest

The former Epping Forest Visitor Centre occupies a 140-square-metre/1,506-square-foot, single-storey building set within the heart of Epping Forest, one of the UK’s most historic and biologically significant ancient woodlands. Positioned at High Beach, a key visitor hub surrounded by over 8,000 acres of accessible woodland, the site enjoys strong, year-round footfall from walkers, cyclists, runners, riders, families, and day visitors. The property features an enchanting exterior with a charming path directly connected to forest trails. Inside, the vaulted ceilings and skylights foster a vibrant, airy atmosphere with ample room for guest reception, showroom product displays, nature classes, and much more. The City of London Corp. is seeking proposals that are innovative, commercially viable, and demonstrate how the business will complement the Forest, enhance the visitor experience, and support High Beach as an inclusive and welcoming destination. Uses must be accessible, add value to the local community and Forest users, and align with the organization’s long-term vision for the site. Potential uses include food and beverage, outdoor leisure and wellness, and community-focused enterprises. The location benefits from excellent connectivity, attracting visitors from across London, Essex, and the wider commuter belt, with convenient access to the M25 and the A11/A12 corridors, as well as nearby Tube services into Central London. Its natural setting, extensive trail network, and established visitor demand make it an exceptional location for a nature-aligned commercial venture.

Property Type:

Specialist

Date on Market:

19/03/2026

Letchworth Garden City Retail to Rent - North Hertfordshire

15 Leys Avenue comprises a ground-floor retail unit located on Leys Avenue in Letchworth Garden City town centre. The property includes an open retail area, secondary seating area, kitchen facility, WC, rear access, and rights to park two vehicles within the rear car park. The accommodation extends to 986.65 square feet (91.66 square metres). The rateable value is £19,500 and the premises are offered on a new full repairing and insuring lease.

Date on Market:

13/08/2026

Hemel Hempstead Retail to Rent

The unit is positioned in a prominent location on the pedestrianised section of Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead's principal retail thoroughfare. The property is directly adjacent to the Marlowes Shopping Centre, which attracts a high volume of footfall. Nearby occupiers include Marks & Spencer, Primark, Robert Dyas, and a wide range of national and local tenants . This diverse mix of occupiers makes the location well suited to a range of retail, leisure, and servicebased uses. Hemel Hempstead is one of Hertfordshire's principal commercial centres, serving a substantial residential population and surrounding catchment. The area benefits from excellent road connectivity via the A41, M1 and M25, while regular rail services from Hemel Hempstead station provide direct connections to London Euston. The town centre has benefitted from continued investment and development.

Date on Market:

11/08/2026

Waltham Abbey Office / Retail to Rent

The property comprises a well-presented self-contained ground floor commercial unit located on the established Highbridge Street parade in the historic market town of Waltham Abbey. The surrounding area benefits from a diverse mix of retailers, restaurants, estate agents and professional service providers, generating strong footfall and an active business environment. The accommodation provides flexible commercial space with existing office fit-out, meeting facilities, kitchenette and WC amenities.

Property Type:

Build-to-Rent

Date on Market:

10/08/2026

Ilford Retail to Rent

This substantial commercial property is prominently positioned in Seven Kings, just moments from Seven Kings Station(Elizabeth Line), offering excellent connectivity across London and beyond.

Date on Market:

07/08/2025

Hemel Hempstead Retail to Rent

Hemel Hempstead is one of the principal towns in Hertfordshire with a population of c. 100,000. The subject property is well located on the pedestrianised Marlowes opposite the northern entrance mall to the Marlowes Shopping Centre and benefits from strong footfall. Nearby occupiers include The Works, Costa, Superdrug, Caffe Nero, Holland & Barrett and Tesco Express.

Date on Market:

03/08/2026

Colchester Retail to Rent

Date on Market:

03/08/2026

Kings Lynn Retail to Rent - King's Lynn

Date on Market:

31/07/2026

Radlett Retail to Rent - Shenley

The property comprises a mixed-use building extending to approximately 2,960 sq ft, arranged as a ground floor restaurant with basement storage and a two-bedroom residential flat above. The restaurant benefits from a fitted kitchen, bar area, customer seating, air conditioning, CCTV, fire alarm system, WC facilities, and covered outdoor seating. Additional features include on-site parking, a rear yard, bin storage, and substantial basement storage accommodation. The residential flat has been recently refurbished and is suitable for owner occupation or staff accommodation. The property is available freehold with an asking price of £750,000 and is also offered to let at a quoting rent of £55,000 per annum.

Date on Market:

30/07/2026

St Albans Retail to Rent

The property comprises two retail units located at 14–16 Market Place, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 5DG. Accommodation is arranged over ground and first floors and can be occupied either as a combined unit of approximately 1,301 sq ft or as separate premises. The ground floor provides interconnected retail space, while the first floor offers office accommodation with dedicated WC and storage facilities. The property benefits from a prominent Market Place frontage, air conditioning, LED lighting, and wooden flooring. The premises are available on standard FRI lease terms. The combined unit has a rateable value of £73,000 and an EPC rating of B-35.

Date on Market:

30/07/2026

Harpenden Retail to Rent

The property is a semi-detached retail building located at 2 Vaughan Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 4ED. The accommodation is arranged over ground and first floors and includes open-plan retail areas, staff facilities, WC accommodation, and loft storage. The premises have a glazed frontage and are situated near Harpenden High Street and Bowers Parade. The property is available for freehold purchase. The rateable value is listed as £29,500 and the EPC rating is D-76.

Date on Market:

30/07/2026

Southend On Sea Retail to Rent - Southend-On-Sea

Date on Market:

29/07/2026

Southend On Sea Retail to Rent - Southend-On-Sea

Date on Market:

29/07/2026

Southend On Sea Retail to Rent - Southend-On-Sea

The property is set this excellent position close to Southend football club and within a short walk to both stations, priory park, all bus routes and town centre.

Date on Market:

19/11/2025

Halstead Retail to Rent

An exceptional opportunity to secure a high-quality commercial premises in a prominent position on a thriving and busy High Street. Finished to an excellent standard throughout, this attractive unit offers a professional environment suitable for a wide range of retail, office, beauty, consultancy or service-based businesses (Class E use). Positioned within a well-established commercial location, the property enjoys excellent levels of pedestrian and vehicle traffic throughout the day and is surrounded by a mixture of established independent retailers, cafés, restaurants and professional businesses. The prominent frontage provides outstanding exposure, making it an ideal location for businesses looking to increase their profile and attract passing customers.

Date on Market:

27/07/2026

Borehamwood Retail to Rent

The property comprises a commercial building situated on Shenley Road in Borehamwood. The building forms part of an established retail and commercial frontage within the town centre environment, with ground floor retail accommodation positioned at street level.

Date on Market:

21/07/2026

Stalham Retail to Rent

The property comprises a substantial former hotel building arranged over two storeys, situated in a prominent position on Stalham High Street. The building features traditional hospitality configuration with ancillary facilities and benefits from a private rear yard and off-road parking. Located within a well-established town centre environment, the property is positioned close to local amenities and key transport routes, serving as a gateway location to the Norfolk Broads and surrounding coastal areas.

Property Type:

Hospitality

Date on Market:

15/07/2026

Bedford Retail to Rent

The property occupies a prominent position on Tavistock Street within Bedford town centre, an established commercial location benefiting from strong passing footfall and vehicle traffic. The area is well served by a variety of independent retailers, salons, cafés, and professional businesses, creating a vibrant trading environment. Bedford Railway Station is located within easy reach, providing regular services to London and surrounding towns, while excellent road links are available via the A6 and A421.

Date on Market:

14/07/2026

Felixstowe Retail to Rent

The property is situated on Hamilton Road in Felixstowe, a well-established and busy commercial area within the town centre. The location benefits from a high level of footfall and passing traffic, making it ideal for a range of businesses. Felixstowe is a popular coastal town in Suffolk, known for its port and strong local economy. The property is well-connected via road links, including easy access to the A14, providing routes to Ipswich and beyond. Nearby amenities include a mix of retail shops, cafes, and local services, enhancing the overall appeal of the location.

Date on Market:

14/07/2026

Watford Retail to Rent

Occupying a highly visible position on Watford High Street, the premises benefit from substantial pedestrian footfall throughout the day and are surrounded by an excellent mix of national retailers, banks, cafés, restaurants and leisure operators. The property lies between major retail anchors including Marks & Spencer and Primark, with nearby occupiers such as Flannels, Greggs, Caffè Nero, Tesco Express, Waterstones, McDonalds and Metro Bank, making it an outstanding trading location for a wide range of retail, leisure or service businesses.

Date on Market:

10/07/2026

Potters Bar Retail to Rent

Situated in Potters Bar. Potters Bar is conveniently located for the M25 Junction 24 and midway between Barnet and Cuffley. This is a good area and the premises are located at one end of the High Street within easy reach of the motorway. The nearest station is Potters Bar Network Rail station situated in Darkes Lane.

Date on Market:

02/07/2026

Thetford Retail to Rent

The steel portal frame unit has an eaves height of approx. 24’ (7.31 m) and comprises a ground floor retail warehouse fitted out as a sales area and warehouse. The property is located on London Road within Breckland Retail Park which opened in 2019 and accommodates B&M, Home Bargains, The Food Warehouse, Shoe Zone and Greggs. Other occupiers nearby include B&Q, Lidl, Wickes, Sainsbury’s, McDonalds and Next.

Date on Market:

30/06/2026