November 2012
Two new independent retailers are opening their doors for the first time at Mell Square Shopping Centre in Solihull. Country and vintage inspired home accessories store, Liv Furniture & Things and holistic health and beauty spa, O Spa, have both signed leases and are set to open their doors in November. Whilst Lancashire based Hotter Comfort Concept, the UK’s biggest shoe manufacturer, and Glasgow based outdoor sports clothing specialist, Trespass, both started trading for the first time in the centre in September.
Liv Furniture & Things, which already has a store in Hatton, Warwickshire, signed a ten year lease, worth £50,000 per annum, on a 3,800 sq ft unit in 32 - 34 Mill Lane. Set to open in early November, the store will specialise in contemporary, country style, rustic charm furniture and vintage style home accessories.
Brand new business, O Spa has signed a ten year lease, worth £40,000 on a 2,000 sq ft unit in 37 Drury Lane, and will open in mid November. Concentrating on a holistic approach to improve mental, physical and emotional well being, the spa will also offer medi spa treatments and will include champagne nail bar and pedicure stations.
Hotter Comfort Concept is already ahead of targets following the opening in September of its 4,212 sq ft unit in 23 Mill Lane, on a ten year lease, worth £115,000 per annum. The new store, specialising in stylish, comfortable women’s and men’s shoes, is part of a dynamic expansion programme for the shoe maker, which has already seen 25 new stores open across the UK in the last two years. The store brings good, old fashioned customer service, including a full shoe fitting service by trained staff, along with an extensive range of stylish footwear with built-in comfort.
Privately owned outdoor sports clothing specialist, Trespass, is also successfully operating from its 5,405 sq ft unit in 47 - 49 Mill Lane, and is on a five year lease, worth £40,000 per annum. Set over two floors, Trespass is utilising the ground floor for trading, amounting to 2,710 sq ft and the first floor for office space and storage. With emphasis placed on performance wear, the store stocks a variety of clothing and accessories for the whole family, from adventure travel and sports to serious waterproofing and footwear.
Acting on behalf of shopping centre landlord, Aviva Investors, Nick Warr from GCW and Robert Alston from Cushman & Wakefield LLP secured the deals.
Simon Green, Aviva Investors’ asset manager, said:
“The disparate but complementary brands are welcome additions and are testament to the strength of the centre at attracting operators at local, regional and national levels. The new signings clearly demonstrate the status of the town as a prosperous and sustainable base for businesses keen to target shoppers.