Opinions.

Boots step into The Victoria Centre~ Southend

July 2010

GCW and JLL, acting on behalf of Delamere Estates and National Grid UK Pension Fund have secured a letting to Boots, who are relocating from the High Street to a new 5,500 sq ft store.

Boots have become the latest multiple retailer to relocate into the centre following the completion of its £25m refurbishment. The store is due to open in at the end of August 2010.

Nick Warr commented that “as a result of the refurbishment, the centre has been transformed to a new modern shopping environment, which offers retailers well configured space at affordable rents in comparison to the High Street.”

“Retailers are trading very well, which is a testimony to the scheme’s success as a retail destination and the centre continues to attract new shoppers.”

Figures just released show that the centre attracted an additional 410,000 visitors between June 2009 and June 2010, an increase of 7% on the previous 12 months.

Boots will trade alongside other national multiple retailers such as New Look, Next and Peacocks.

The Victoria Centre is also likely to benefit from a new Tesco Extra store as the supermarket giant is due to submit a planning application shortly, for a multi-million pound investment on the former B&Q site adjacent to Victoria Station. The store will be linked by a walkway into the Victoria Centre at the upper mall level.