Lakeside secures six new F&B tenants as Vue recommits

Lakeside shopping centre in Essex has completed six new food and beverage signings, including one UK debut, as longstanding leisure anchor Vue recommits to the scheme.

Leading the new additions is GAIL’s, which has committed to a 2,033 sq ft unit on the lower level. The bakery and coffee shop joins other recent additions to Lakeside including The White Company.

Black Sheep Coffee has also signed at Lakeside, and will open in a 1,500 sq ft store on the scheme’s lower level this summer.

Lakeside has also welcomed the arrival of Maki & Ramen and Smoke & Pepper in recent weeks, while also securing the UK debut of chocolate-themed dessert concept Chocofay and a second location for Pret a Manger, with the operators taking 250 sq ft and 650 sq ft locations, respectively.

Meanwhile, cinema operator and anchor tenant Vue is investing in a transformation of its nine-screen venue. The investment will include Vue’s latest recliner seating, its new premium large format Epic, and a new foyer concept.

Rob Jewell, managing director of asset management at Pradera, commented: “Lakeside is revitalised, with investment in the destination attracting new brands and growing consumer loyalty to unprecedented levels.  Lakeside’s out-performance is becoming self-fulfilling too, with demand from new and existing brands outstripping supply.  This is reflected in these new F&B signings and openings; we have worked with each operator to create the ideal space, confident they will appeal to visitors from across our catchment.  They are all great additions to Lakeside that, combined with Vue’s investment, reinforce its position as the dominant destination in the catchment, one with a unique lifestyle offer.”

Smith Young and LM are Lakeside’s retail leasing agents, while Metis and LM lead the leisure leasing.  Pradera asset manages Lakeside on behalf of SGS UK Retail. Forty Group acted for GAIL’s, while Black Sheep Coffee represented itself.