No says Craig Middleton, partner at Cluttons property consultants

Little Clarendon Street has long held the reputation of being a boutique food, beverage and retail venue.

The street has undergone a transformation and the new multi-million pound development on the corner of Little Clarendon and Walton Street is testament to this improvement.

The nearby development of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter by Oxford University, the forthcoming development of the former Ruskin College buildings by Exeter College and the proximity of the Oxford University Press HQ, will inevitably result in a dramatic increase in footfall and demand for this location.

The existing retail units presently available for lease have generated good levels of interest from national, but very importantly, independent retailers.

The street offers an excellent selection of restaurants and bars and the availability of nearby pay and display parking at St Giles and Walton Street is a further benefit. The area would enjoy even greater vibrancy if the tight constraints in terms of alternative uses applied by Oxford City Council were relaxed; however the street sits at the crossroads of a large affluent residential area and an academic and administrative heartland and thus has scope to cater for year round trade to numerous socio economic groups.

The future of Little Clarendon Street is increasingly positive, the area is in the ascendance and will continue to be a venue of choice for retailers, restaurateurs and shoppers alike.

Yes says Graham Jones, of ROX (formerly Rescue Oxford) traders’ association chairman

For many decades Little Clarendon Street has held a reputation for being one of the trendiest streets in Oxford.

The street has oodles of distinctive character, with its eclectic mix of restaurants and bars, unusual shops and specialist services.

Sitting as it does on the northern edge of the centre, it has been a destination street because of what it has to offer to residents and visitors from far and wide.

Although access is not particularly good, people usually find their way there.

While most of us may spend more of our money in chain stores, we all love the individual kinds of merchandise and the expert advice and friendliness you normally get from the independent shops.

However, in Little Clarendon Street there has been a higher turnover of many premises in recent years. In itself, this is not a major cause for concern as change can bring in new exciting outlets and help to keep the street alive, but it is important that there is some stability as a sign of confidence.

Trading in city centres is now very tough with the competition from out-of- town stores and the internet.

Chain stores have much bigger clout when it comes to borrowing, purchasing power and rent negotiation, but they can move on quickly if business is not as successful as anticipated.

It is vital that the independents are given the chance to prove themselves to help retain the unique experience shopping that is Little Clarendon Street.