New Smell of Success is Not A Universal Scent on Guildford High Street

Published on: 18 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 20 Aug, 2018

By Amina Sahbegovic

While more Guildford shops have closed up there is a new upmarket arrival at Tunsgate Quarter.

Perfume house Penhaligon’s, holders of two royal warrants, is another luxury brand joining Guildford’s newest mall.

Established in 1870, the British perfume house will open its first standalone 527 sq ft store in Surrey.

The brand, who says is “creating fragrances that tell a story”, was granted its first royal warrant in 1903 by Queen Alexandra and now holds two long-standing royal warrants from the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Royal warrants are issued to establishments that provide goods or services to the households of the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh or the Prince of Wales for at least five years, and who have an ongoing trading agreement.

This mandate allows the brand to advertise that they provide the royal family, as well as gives it a kind of prestige. Formed in 1840, the Royal Warrant Holders’ Association main objective is “to ensure the continued existence of the royal warrant as a treasured and respected institution.”

Tunsgate Quarter

The perfumery is the seventh new brand to be added to the Tunsgate Quarter mall’s top retail and dining brands including the White Company, Nespresso and The Ivy and Castle View.

Claire Suggitt, centre manager believes Penhaligon’s is “a perfect fit for Tunsgate Quarter and will complement the mix of destination brands at the centre”.

The new opening contrasts with the situation elsewhere in the town centre. While retail opportunities continue and many businesses continue to trade profitably, more shops are facing closure, worrying some local representatives.

A survey conducted by Guildford Borough Councillor Tony Rooth (Ind, Pilgrims) shows that the number of empty shops in the town has more than doubled, notably due to business rates, high rents, or not enough income.

While several streets are affected such as North Street and Chapel Street, the High Street is the most affected with, now, he reports, nine empty shops. Among them are the clothing shop Little Mistress, a jewellery shop by the entrance to Jeffries Passage, an independent retailer Guildford Shoe and, more recently, Hummingbird bakery/ coffee shop.

Hummingbird Cafe, now closed on the Upper High Street.

The closure of the coffee shop bucks a trend. Generally, coffee shops are one part of the retail sector that are still expanding. But high rent and business rates, coupled with a slightly more remote location in the Upper High Street, are believed to have contributed to the situation.

Guildford Borough Councillor, Geoff Davis (Con, Holy Trinity) who has over 50 years experience of commercial property, commenting on House of Fraser’s move into administration last week, said it was: “…yet another indicator that the whole retail experience is undergoing fundamental change with a number of pressures accumulating.”

And John Rigg, chairman of the Guildford Vision Group giving The Dragon his opinion on the High Street’s situation said…. “department stores are in trouble”, “struggling for survival”. He added: “tThis situation arrives on top of increasing shop vacancies across the town and retailers failing nationally.”

But Amanda Masters of Experience Guildford, although acknowledging the challenges retailers are facing, was more upbeat. She said: “While there are worrying stories out there currently, there are also many success stories. Retailers still want to come to Guildford and the independent traders are stronger than ever.”

Share This Post