As the economy in the Falkirk area continues to recover, DM Hall, the leading firm of Scottish Chartered Surveyors, has been instrumental in a remarkable commercial turnaround in the pedestrianised shopping centre of Grangemouth.

It has managed to secure tenants on behalf of Falkirk Council for no less than seven retail units in the area around York Arcade, bringing life, commercial activity and jobs back to accommodation which, in many cases, had been empty for some time.

The marketing success will bring new employment to the area and will have a knock-on effect on jobs in the wider area as the increased commercial activity boosts the local supply chain.

Leigh Nisbet, of DM Hall’s commercial valuation and agency department, said: “The Falkirk area has undoubtedly felt the effects of the recession and some of these premises have been empty for up to three years, so this is really good news for Grangemouth town centre.

“It has been very gratifying to secure as many new independent retailers, who are now contributing to an increasing commercial buzz about an area of the town which has so much going for it.”

The properties are situated within the pedestrianised commercial centre of Grangemouth, which provides accommodation for a wide selection of award-winning independent enterprises such as William Hill, Boots, WH Smith, Iceland, Superdrug, Farmfoods and TSB. They are also close to the Post Office and Falkirk Council’s One Stop Shop.

The properties range from 1233 sq ft to 531 sq ft and have been let on leases of up to five years.

They are:

• 16 York Arcade, empty since 2010 and now let to a Polish speciality shop on a five-year lease;
• 10 York Arcade, empty since 2010 and now let to a grocer on a three-year lease;
• 6 York Arcade, empty since 2010 and now let to M Vapours on a three-year lease;
• 4 York Arcade, empty since 2010 and now let to Falkirk Homeless Project on a yearly lease;
• 10 York Square, empty since 2012 and now let to a podiatrist on a five-year lease;
• 4 York Square, empty since 2012 and now let to Classy Cards for two years;
• 67 La Porte Precinct, empty since 2012 and now let to a gym for less able bodied people.

Leigh Nisbet added: “DM Hall has offices all over Scotland and is committed to providing the best possible service to clients and to helping boost economic activity in communities throughout the country.”