FOR years it has been an eyesore on the Southampton city centre map – but now it could be having a resurgence.

East Street is seeing a new lease of life after a number of firms have set up business there.

Directors at commercial property consultant Osmond Brookes have helped a number of businesses move into the area in the past couple of months after years in the doldrums.

Jeremy Braybrooke said the firm is currently receiving enquiries for shops in the street on a daily basis.

He said: “Since the depths of the recession in 2009, so many traders, local and national, either closed down or relocated to other positions in town, that there was at one point, 18 available units in just that one road.

“Last year’s demolition of the old East Street Shopping Centre to make ready for a new Morrisons supermarket that never happened didn't help, and the closure of the Bargate Shopping Centre made life for the resilient few even more difficult.

“But times seem to be a-changing.”

He added: “Far from stagnating or continuing to decline, East Street is showing every sign of blossoming once again as a secondary shopping street in the city centre.”

A number of units have been let but the street is still struggling to get footfall since the closure of the 1970’s-style East Street Shopping Centre.

The dilapidated site has remained unused since and has been fenced off, and in September one anonymous business owner said the site closure “has had a devastating effect on trade”.

Before the Second World War the site was one of the busiest in the city but the East Street Shopping Centre flopped and was vacated in 2012.

Morrisons had said their new store would create 400 jobs as well as providing new car parking and a pedestrianised link between St Mary's and the city centre before they pulled out.

Earlier in the year Barclays announced plans to close its branch and NatWest, on the corner with the High Street, also closed.

But a festival was held last month (September) in a bid to generate for awareness of the businesses operating there.

Earlier this month, national skin health charity DEBRA opened a new furniture and electrical store in the old Specsavers shops on a 10-year lease through Osmond Brookes and London Clancy.

Osmond Brookes have also let number 21 to the Scratch Charity and Solent Credit Union and a music shop, Hobgoblin Music, next door for the next ten years.

While Sweet Sensi have moved to number 16, and YMCA have relocated to number 104.

Sandwich franchise Subway has just reopened following a refit.

A new Greek and Mediterranean restaurant chain called Lemoni Grillhouse who are currently fitting a unit on the corner of East Street and Queensway before it opens around Christmas time.

One other unit is under offer and one is to let.