A PAIR of empty units in the Chantry Centre are set to be brought back into use after two new businesses have signed to take over the vacant shops.

Furniture and accessories store, Artspace Interior Design Ltd, is set to move into the former Old Traditions Unit. The showroom outlet will stock artwork, soft furnishings and ex-show home furniture.

The owner of a new barber shop has also just agreed to take a lease for Unit 34 near Boots. The new tenant will begin trading following an extensive fit-out.

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Councillor Phil North, said: β€œIt is great that we have secured two new tenants for the Chantry Centre.

"We have incredibly ambitious plans for the town redevelopment project but we will be looking to let some of the empty units in the centre in the meantime.

"We are really keen to encourage businesses into some of the vacant shops by using short-term leases, which will enable them to test the water.

β€œI wish the two businesses all the very best.”

The council already owned the freehold for the Chantry Centre but took the decision to purchase the long leasehold from Aviva earlier this year to enable the authority to redevelop the town centre.