Some major retailers such as Boots and Superdrug feel they need to be in both places.
Central parking is difficult and expensive, with long queues for car parks.
However that was sold in 1999 and may change radically in 2000. It's claimed that national retailer chains are still keen to set up in Cambridge yet there always seems to be plenty of vacant retail property - generally smaller units admittedly. Surveys have identified Cambridge as the prime candidate for national retailers. Retailers claim that Cambridge has the 2nd highest retail income per sq.foot after the West End of London. A survey in 1997 ranked it below Norwich, Peterborough and other regional centres but this was contradicted by a similar survey in 1998, based on factors such as the presence of high street multiples, unit vacancies and parking, which rated Cambridge just ahead of Peterborough and behind Norwich in the region.