Cheffins is pleased to have let 28a High Street and 4 Minster Place in Ely on behalf of Ely Cathedral, seeing vibrant new businesses occupy vacant premises and leaving only one unit in the Cathedral’s portfolio remaining to let.

4 Minster Place, the former site of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, has been let to Nicholas Hythe Kitchen Design Studio, Cambridgeshire’s only Trading Standards-approved designer and installer of bespoke fitted kitchens. The family run business has deep Ely roots, and the opening of the showroom is part of the business expansion, partly driven by the company’s long-standing success in the region. The new showroom is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment and is scheduled to open in late November 2024.

The retail space in 28a High Street sees a specialist cheese shop ‘Victoria’s Cheese’ relocating from a home-based e-retail business in Norfolk. Established by cheese enthusiast, Victoria Dunthorne, the new shop will be selling artisan cheeses from around the UK and Europe, as well as charcuterie, wines and other beverages, including non-alcoholic options.  Alongside the retail space, there is a small two-table seating area where customers will be able to eat cheese and charcuterie board offerings enjoy the variety of drinks available. Victoria’s Cheese will also be offering cheese and wine events and collaborative pop ups in the shop. The shop is on schedule for a late October opening, and will be stocked ready with some Christmas treats.

Jonathan Bell, Chief Operating Officer at Ely Cathedral, comments: “We are delighted that the premises have been let to two wonderful businesses who are bringing exciting retail opportunities to Ely, as well as collaborative opportunities for other local businesses. Our only remaining retail unit also has some strong interest and should be occupied in the near future.”

Darren Hill, Director at Cheffins, adds: “We are pleased to have let these units on behalf of the Cathedral, injecting new life into the high street with two successful businesses. Ely High Street, like most market towns and cities across the UK, has unfortunately seen a number of high-profile businesses forced to close. As such, it is vitally important that we bring in the right type of uses that add strategically to the tenant mix and offer - the city still represents a good opportunity for retail occupiers, with an expanding resident population of over 20,000 and a district population of approximately 87,000.”

The remaining unit, 28E, is in a prominent position on the High Street, offering 601 sq ft (55.83 sq m) of predominantly open plan space in an attractive Grade I Listed. For further information, please contact the Cheffins team on 01223 271 974.