September 2025
NewRiver is a REIT that specialises in acquiring, managing and developing resilient retail assets across the UK. In late 2024, it acquired Capital & Regional REIT, which included six community shopping centres. Following the reappointment of GCW on 17&Central in Walthamstow, and our successful track record on that project, we have now been appointed as sole leasing agents for Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead, and joint leasing agents with JLL for The Mall, Maidstone.
Marlowes dominates the town centre, providing 360,000 sq ft of space in 64 units, with annual footfall of 4.5 million, and 1,200 parking spaces. It’s anchored by M&S, B&M and Sports Direct. We know and understand Hemel Hempstead very well, having previously acted on the Riverside Centre for many years before its sale two years ago. The leasing strategy is to incorporate some leisure and alternative occupiers in the shopping centre to broaden its appeal, together with attracting new retailers. However, the plans to develop a cinema by the previous owner have been shelved.
At The Mall in Maidstone, we had already been working in a lease advisory capacity, and have now been appointed as joint agents. The centre encompasses 535,000 sq ft of space with 80+ units, anchored by Boots, Matalan, B&M and Next. There are 1,075 parking spaces and an annual footfall of 6.3 million. Again, the strategy is to introduce some leisure and alternative uses, and there is a good opportunity to do that in the space available.