News

Tenpin strikes a deal at Queensgate Peterborough

Bowling and entertainment operator Tenpin has signed to join the retail and leisure offer at Queensgate Peterborough. The operator is set to take a 23,000 sq ft unit as part of the centre’s £60m investment into its leisure offer. The new venue will offer an entertainment experience for families, friends, and corporate groups, featuring 20 bowling lanes, a bar, interactive darts, pool tables, private karaoke rooms, and an arcade. The new site will be Tenpin’s second in the region, and will join the existing Odeon – which is the city’s only IMAX cinema – as well as Putt & Play and the upcoming Umami World Buffet. Ed Ginn, director of Investment Management at Invesco Real Estate, said: “The performance of Queensgate’s leisure is going from strength to strength, and the centre’s transformation continues at pace with the addition of Tenpin. There is clear demand and desire for more competitive socialising in Peterborough, and we’re dedicated to fulfilling the needs and wants of our visitors. Given Queensgate’s dominant position in the city, Tenpin becomes another great pull, creating more family-friendly visits, multi-purpose trips, and longer stays.” Mark Willis, CEO at Tenpin, added: “We’re very excited to announce our new location at […]

Deals

Savers to open at Chatham Maritime’s Dockside

Savers is set to open at Dockside at Chatham Maritime after agreeing a 10-year lease for a 4,500 sq ft space. The health and beauty retailer will move into a newly created space after scheme owner WD Ltd reconfigured two units in order to accommodate Savers’ requirements. The signing continues WD Ltd’s ongoing evolution of Dockside into a mixed-use destination, which has included the transformation of the entrance area which involved lettings to Sotto Lounge, McDonalds, Bakers + Baristas, and YouMeSushi. These new arrivals are joined by Humanly, a new brand by IWG that offers treatment-ready spaces for medical, therapy, wellness, beauty, and fitness professionals. Peter Everest, managing director of WD Ltd, said: “The addition of Savers further diversifies our line-up at Dockside, which serves a fast-growing community across the Medway region. Over the past two years we have been steadily evolving the scheme offer into a truly mixed-use, all-day destination providing a wide range of community-focused amenities and services, complemented by a strong retail line up across fashion, homewares and footwear, and a vibrant day-to-evening dining, cafe and grab-and-go offer. “From workspaces for businesses, to bringing healthcare to the high street, at Dockside we continue to innovate the role […]

Requirements

Costa Coffee brews up further expansion

Costa Coffee has unveiled its latest property requirements as it looks to continue its expansion across England, Scotland, and Wales. The coffee shop chain, working with its long-standing partner Savills, is looking to open new locations in retail parks and shopping centres, as well as on high streets and within travel locations. Costa Coffee is also looking to open drive-through units in out-of-town retail locations. Ideal units will range in size between 1,250 sq ft and 2,200 sq ft and be located adjacent to foodstores, retail warehousing, and leisure space. Within retail parks, Costa is seeking units ranging between 1,500 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft in size with external seating. Freestanding or in-line units will be considered, with nearby car parking a necessity. Ideal units will be situated in out-of-town locations with significant traffic flow, adjacent to foodstores, and retail and leisure clusters. In high street and shopping centre destinations, Costa is looking for units between 1,500 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft with outside seating. Locations such as universities, hospitals, and leisure destinations will also be considered. The operator is also looking to open new sites within travel locations such as transport hubs and train stations with significant […]

Insights

Comment: Korean brands in the UK – from consumer trend to leasing opportunity

The rise of Korean brands in the UK is one of the clearest examples of how quickly international consumer trends can translate into mainstream demand. It is no longer a novelty to see Korean brands across food and beverage, supermarkets, and beauty taking space in leading shopping centres and performing strongly.

Advice

Turn lease events from growing pains into commercial gains

By Simon Matley, director for dilapidations and occupier services at TFT After a period of acquisition, a large commercial retail portfolio can become either a major liability or a powerful cost saver for retailers who need every advantage they can get in a challenging consumer market. For national multiples and high street brands, often with sizeable portfolios numbering in the hundreds of units, or for smaller regional operations that are growing at speed, flexibility and control are hugely important. Brands today are adapting their portfolios in light of changing consumer behaviour and omni-channel retailing, and this is shaped by the increasingly sophisticated data capture that allows them to better understand stock, fulfilment, customer behaviour, and operations. For many who have been acquiring premises over the past 10 years, they will almost certainly find that data allows them to be more efficient in the space they need, not least because of the growth of last mile logistics and on demand deliveries which enables occupiers to be nimble in how they use their spaces. Whether they operate on the high street, in retail parks or rely on distribution centres, retailers want to scale fast, explore new territory and snap up the right […]

News

Flying Tiger Copenhagen lands at The Liberty Romford

Flying Tiger Copenhagen has opened at Redical’s The Liberty Romford, taking a 4,500 sq ft space at the shopping centre. The Danish variety retailer’s new store, located adjacent to Boots and Clarks, offers a range of design-led products across categories including homeware, stationery, gifts, and toys. This opening follows the signing of specialist motor insurance firm KGM at The Liberty Romford. The 10,800 sq ft office letting underscores the scheme’s role as a mixed-use destination, capable of attracting occupiers beyond traditional retail. Dan Tucker, leasing manager at Redical, said: “The opening of Flying Tiger Copenhagen is a great example of how we continue to evolve The Liberty Romford through considered, incremental change. We want our customers to see something new and relevant each time they visit, and Flying Tiger Copenhagen brings a distinctive proposition to the centre. It indicates that The Liberty is a destination where leading brands can connect with a significant audience outside central London, and we are sure our visitors will love to explore the fun and vibrant addition.” Mitch Cooper from Flying Tiger Copenhagen added: “The Liberty Romford is a key strategic step for us in our continued growth in the UK.  This year, we’re prioritising […]