the essential
After the summer sales and before the end-of-year holidays, certain brands take advantage of the fall period to change hands in the city center. Deserted for a long time, rue d'Aujou has regained beautiful colors thanks to the arrival of new businesses.
Between the Calvary stairs and the emblematic Figeac market hall, rue d'Aujou stands out. The small cobbled street is experiencing a rather unexpected commercial revival after a long period of disaffection. The shops have almost, one by one, reopened their doors: a recently opened café-restaurant, a ready-to-wear boutique, a herbalist, a bulk grocery store and even a Basque products store are located there. Seamstresses seem particularly popular with the place since a sewing training center is set up there, a collective of seamstresses has just moved into the former Figeacteurs premises and the designer Céline Frémont has launched her boutique. It must be said that the pedestrian link where the Arrosoir association café is also located has been beautified in recent years thanks to the completion of major renovation works on the buildings and their facades. Soon, the front of the arts and crafts boutique Les Champollionnes will be rehabilitated and new businesses are due to open in this decidedly attractive rue d'Aujou. “This summer, the Mirabilu gift shop with wooden toys was set up there instead of an electronic cigarette store. The manager was in Villefranche-de-Rouergue but she wanted to set up in Figeac. Opposite two very motivated young women are going to open a concept store next to the Basque grocery store,” explains Gladys Karroum, city center manager who provides an encouraging general overview of the Figeac trade. “The turnover of businesses is quite stable in Figeac but there is movement which is rather positive. The stores do not remain closed for long, unless the premises require upgrading or major work. Activity is concentrated today 'today on the historic heart'.
“Figeac is often cited as an example”
At Figeac town hall, the city center manager welcomes project leaders looking for the premises of their dreams. “There are fewer of them than three or four years ago but it remains an interesting entry point.” By putting traders in contact, Gladys Karroum notably enabled the “Sacrés Lotois” brand, wishing to establish itself in Figeac, to find newly vacated premises on Place Champollion. Other opportunities are emerging, such as the former Les Voûtes gallery located on rue Caviale, which was taken over by APEAI-ADAR, which is now leaving. “Rue Gambetta, the old Lakolé Prince store was bought for another ready-to-wear boutique. A new barber has also just set up in the Saint-Martin district after the Gambetta bridge where unfortunately the Vogue store will close. A hair salon has opened on Boulevard Juskiewenski and a couple of tattoo artists have moved into Rue Emile Zola” lists Gladys Karroum who also announces the arrival of an artisan stained glass artist on Rue Emile Zola.
“We realize that Figeac remains attractive,” underlines Guillaume Baldy, deputy mayor. “We have people who constantly contact us to find a ticket. Figeac is often cited as an example within the framework of Action Coeur de city: it has more than 250 commercial cells, which is double the average for cities with 10,000 inhabitants. The challenge for the municipality is to succeed in “preserving balanced development between large stores and local shops”, in a context where consumption habits continue to evolve. A few weeks before the end-of-year holidays, the city is joining forces with the Figeac Coeur de Vie association for Christmas activities. On November 23, it will reopen its boutique dedicated to local craftsmen on rue Séguier, which will remain open until January 4, 2025.
Also read:
The City Heart Action plan renewed: a new lease of life for the Grand Figeac area
