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SPACE – Retail Property Consultants have let 1 Gallowtree Gate to Chopstix, the Pan-Asian noodle chain.

Now trading from over 60 locations nationwide, Leicester has been a long-held target for Chopstix. The fitout is to an exceptionally high standard including c.100 covers over 2 floors, a ‘living wall’and with quirky and fun designs throughout.

Martin Herbert of SPACE, acting on behalf of the Landlord commented:

“the unit came to market during the 2nd lockdown and we immediately received significant interest from regional and national retailers. The unit was always destined to become a fast- casual dining unit, being on one of the most prominent corners in the city centre”

David Simmons of HSA Retail advised Chopstix

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants have let 130 – 140 Charles Street to Afrikana, an expanding midlands based restaurant chain specialising in authentic African cuisine signing a new 15- year lease.

Leicester is the seventh location acquired for this growing restaurant operation who already trade from Birmingham, Blackburn, Cardiff, Dalston, Derby and Walsall.

Josh Porter of SPACE, acting on behalf of the Landlord commented:

“A pleasure working with Afrikana on this. It’s great to see strong national restaurant brands expanding following the turbulent times of COVID-19. Another great and unique food offer for Leicester City Centre.”

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants have let Unit 9 St Martins Shopping Centre to Fox Books, an independent book shop specialising in the retail sale of new fiction, non-fiction and children’s best sellers.

The tenant has signed a new 5-year lease and will trade alongside existing occupiers including; Alrodia Jewellers, the Bottle Garden, Giggling Squid, Mowlgi Street Food, Crafty, Kai and Just So Italian.

St Martins Shopping Centre is Leicester’s highly sought after destination location for quality independent retailers and restaurateurs which continues to perform strongly as COVID restrictions are slowly eased.

Josh Porter, retained sole letting agent at SPACE commented:

“Fox Books are a great addition further supporting the strong and complimentary tenant mix at St Martins which the landlords are striving to maintain”

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants on behalf of the landlord have let 18 The Square, Market Harborough to A Plan Insurance, a national insurance broker specialising in all aspects of insurance and currently trade from circa 100 locations.

The tenant signed a new 10-year lease and are trading alongside nearby retailers Grape Tree, Boots Pharmacy, Mountain Warehouse, Fat Face, Ladbrokes, Waterstones, Superdrug and New Look.

Market Harborough, a strong retailing market town, has performed well during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to see demand from retailers seeking representation.

Josh Porter the letting agent at SPACE commented:

“A Plan Insurance are a highly regarded national retailer who have had a historical requirement for the Town. We are really pleased to have completed this letting, especially during a difficult and uncertain 12 months to an established retailer”

Premium British lifestyle brand, CrewClothing, have completed a lease of the former Laura Ashley high street space in Lincoln. The deal was brokered by Ben Taylor of SPACE-Retail Property Consultants, working jointly with James Lutton of Legat Owen.

Since the opening of the brand’s first store in Salcombe the coastal fashion brand has grown to 79 high street stores throughout the UK. Crew Clothing continues to acquire stores nationally, with the latest addition occupying a prominent property in the heritage city of Lincoln. To celebrate the opening of the new store, Crew Clothing will be offering a 30% discount on its Christmas edit as well as a free gift with every purchase over £75.

The letting to Crew Clothing is one of the latest high quality entrants to the city, following Lincoln Coop’s redevelopment of Cornhill Quarter, itself close to Crew’s new addition and a defining factor for the retailer. They join the likes of Hobbs, Whistles, Phase 8, The Botanist, Cosy Club and Everyman Cinema. The new Crew Clothing store is set to bring six new jobs to the city by 2021.

Acting jointly for the Landlord, SPACE and Legat Owen agreed terms with Crew within a few weeks of bringing the 3,333sqft property to the market. No. 310 High Street opened on the 2nd December, as government restrictions are lifted.

Ben Taylor of SPACE – Retail Property Consultants commented:

“The popularity of Lincoln is not surprising, combining world class heritage with a first-class retail offering. Crew join an enviable line-up in the city, made up of both national multiples as well as some great local and regional occupiers. Lincoln’s growing status as a university city combined with its popularity as a tourist hub makes it an attractive prospect for retailers and consumers alike. Both sides acted with a clear objective to get the deal done as quickly as possible, a process which was aided by all the parties involved including Ian Scott International who acted for Crew Clothing.”

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants have let Unit 35 St Martins Shopping Centre to Alrodia Jewellers an independent high end jewellery retailer specialising in importing the finest quality jewels and diamonds from the Philippines.

The tenant has signed a new 5-year lease and will trade alongside existing occupiers including; the Bottle Garden, Giggling Squid, Mowlgi Street Food, Crafty, Kai and Just So Italian.

St Martins Shopping Centre has become a highly sought after destination retail location for quality independent retailers and restaurateurs since being acquired by Shearer Property Group in 2016.

Josh Porter at retained sole letting agents SPACE commented:

“this is a really exciting letting for St Martins which further supports the unique and complimentary tenant mix for which the Shopping Centre has gained a well deserved reputation for”

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants, advising landlords Shearer Property Group, are delighted to announce the arrival of Giggling Squid to St. Martins Shopping centre.

They will occupy the former Grillstock / Pizza Express unit within the heart of the square, joining Mowgli who opened within the scheme in September 2019.

Their arrival will add to the vibrant and eclectic mix of strong, independent retailers and restaurateurs including Bodega Cantina, Kai, Tonne, The Bottle Garden, The Zero Waste Store and St. Martins Coffee / Crafty Burger.

Giggling Squid will trade from c.2375 sq. ft. on the ground floor with additional balconied first floor seating.  Importantly, they will utilise the entrance not only fronting the main square but also the intricate entrance on Cank Street, helping to improve footfall all around St. Martins and The Lanes in general.

Martin Herbert of SPACE added: “It is now less than a week to go before Giggling Squid open their doors. With two nearby units being under offer to complementary food offers, St Martin’s is enhancing it’s reputation as the premier mid market shopping and dining quarter of the city.

For more information please contact Martin Herbert.

The Gym has signed a 15 year lease on Unit G, comprising 7,500 sq ft at Unit G Stechford Retail Park in Birmingham. They will occupy the former Poundworld unit.

Stechford Retail Park comprises 104,090 sq ft with 602 car parking spaces. The retail park is home to Matalan, Home Bargains, Pets at Home, Peacocks, The Food Warehouse, Bensons for Beds, Argos, McDonalds Drive Thru and the recently signed B&M Retail for unit of 20,000 sq ft plus a new 5,000 sq ft garden centre.

Susan Harrison of SPACE – Retail Property Consultants comments “Stechford Retail Park is a strong retail park with a great mix of occupiers. We are delighted to have secured representation on behalf of The Gym here”

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants acted on behalf of the Gym Group.

For more information please contact Susan Harrison

The new exciting concept Fork-In-Chips has been launched in Loughborough where they will debut their first store which opens tomorrow.  Fork-In-Chips have taken the former Greenwoods store at one of the most prominent corner positions within Loughborough town centre at 16/17 Market Place on a new 10 year lease.

Fork-In-Chips know that the humble chip is deeply loved and they love it too.  They have studied and mastered the art of chip making using oleic sunflower oil which is low in cholesterol and gives a better crunch while leaving the soft fluffy texture in the centre.

British potatoes, hand cut on the spot, triple fried, topped off with flavours from around the world and served piping hot in a cone and ready to eat!

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants acted on behalf of the Landlord, Glenstone Property Group.

For more information please contact Martin Herbert or Josh Porter.

SPACE is pleased to announce a raft of activity at The Albion Centre, Ilkeston.  Units 2-4 have recently been let to The Works who opened in time for Christmas.  This was followed by the completion of 2 lease renewals to Savers and Superdrug.  The Albion Centre is Ilkeston’s principle shopping centre anchored by a recently renewed and refurbished B&M store.  Other occupiers include Sports Direct, Tui, Costa, Cex, Shoezone, Farmfoods and Select.  The last remaining unit totals 1500 sqft at ground floor  with the same at first floor and will be available following a period of refurbishment in February 2020.

Interested parties should contact either Ben Taylor or Martin Herbert

SPACE are delighted to see Grape Tree opened at 22 The Square, Market Harborough at the end of last year, taking place of the former Johnsons Dry Cleaners.

Grape Tree is dedicated to ensuring their products are the finest natural whole foods, offering exceptional value, choice and quality second to none.

SPACE acted on behalf of the Assignor Johnsons Cleaners UK Limited, Rob Powter & Co acted for Grape Tree.

For more information contact Josh Porter or Martin Herbert

An award-winning travel agency has chosen to take a trip to Rugby to site its 13th Midlands outlet in the town.

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants secured Millington Travel as the latest occupier at the Swan Centre and is currently fitting out unit 12 in order to open its doors before Christmas.

Martin Herbert of SPACE said, “We’ve been pleased with the progress made at the Swan Centre.  We are targeting good quality restaurants and retailers to complement the existing tenants as the centre continues to evolve”.  This letting follows the announcement in autumn that Libertine Burgers opened in the restaurant quarter.

Millington Travel, which was named Central England travel agency of the year at the 2019 Agent Achievement Awards, has 12 other outlets throughout Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Northampton.

SPACE are joint letting agents alongside Harris Lamb and Hartnell Taylor Cook.  Scott Property Consultants advised Millington Travel.

For more information contact Martin Herbert

Menswear independent Brook Taverner has opened its second Yorkshire based store this weekend, just four months after its debut into the county in Beverley.  The new store at 174 High Street, Northallerton will allow Brook Taverner to trade from 2,100 sq ft and showcase the full menswear collection for Autumn Winter 2019.

Jason Scott, Managing Director, commenting on his brand’s ability to buck nationwide high street trends, states: “We opened our first Yorkshire store in Beverley in June, and we have been delighted with the response.  Northallerton has been at the top of our list of targets for a number of years, so when a suitable site became available, it was an easy decision to open our second store in such a discerning and prosperous town”.

SPACE continue to assist Brook Taverner and are seeking further stores to open in the second half of 2020.

For more information contact Rob Palmer

The midlands based Café/Deli, Just so Italian has opened its doors at 14 St Martin’s Square, Leicester this week taking 1,454 sq ft on a 10 year lease in the former Escape Asylum.

Just so Italian are Danilo and Alison Trozzi, Italian chefs who have trained and worked in Italy and now live in the UK, starting Just so Italian in 2008.  Alison Trozzi says “We will be offering a place for people to come relax with an Italian coffee, sample our wonderful freshly made pizza or focaccia or treat themselves to one of our delicious Italian pastries.  We’ll also be offering a range of freshly prepared food to go for people in more of a hurry.  The shop will also stock a full range of traditional and authentic Italian food imported by us, including a superb range of cheeses and salami”.

Understanding the importance of great ingredients and believing that Italy produces some of the best foods and ingredients in the world – born of centuries of tradition and a passion for quality and taste.

Also located in Market Harborough and Stamford, their delis are just as you might find them in countless towns across Italy, so whether you want to relax with an Italian coffee, sample their wonderfully freshly made pizza or focaccia or treat yourself to one of their delicious Italian pastries, you will be spoilt for choice.

The Landlords, Shearer Property Group were represented by SPACE – Retail Property Consultants.

For more information contact Martin Herbert

Following the successful pop up store at the mall last year, The White Company have now opened in Westquay Shopping Centre, Southampton.

The 6,500 sq ft flagship store at Unit SU20 West Quay opened last week in plenty of time for Christmas, selling ‘stylish and beautifully designed’ homeware and clothes.

Sarah King, the Director of property at The White Company said: “The White Company are delighted that we will be opening in time for Christmas in Westquay.  We have been looking at Southampton for quite some time and following our successful pop-up in Westquay last Christmas we knew this opportunity would be a perfect addition to our portfolio.  We are looking forward to seeing our store come to life and can’t wait to become part of the exciting shopping destination that is Westquay Southampton”.

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants are the retained agents for The White Company.

For more information please contact Peter Leverett

InflataNation will open its doors next month in Peterborough and represents the first attraction of its kind for the region.  The new indoor inflatable theme park will be located at Peterborough One Retail Park in the recently vacated Cotswold Outdoor unit and will boast 14,000 sq ft of inflatable fun for adults as well as children.  Offering climbing walls, obstacle courses, gigantic ball pools and an ‘Inflata Bubbles’ section which is designed for visitors to  achieve optimum bounce heights.

Matt Ball, co-founder of Inflata Nation, said: “We are very excited to be opening a brand new venue in Peterborough and we believe it’s Cambridgeshire’s first ever indoor inflatable theme park.  The message from us is simple – Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, and we think big kids will have just as much fun on the inflatables as the wee ones.  The park itself will boast a whole host of features designed to put a smile on your face”

Paul Dunn, Asset Manager for Peterborough One Retail Park said: “We are delighted to have this unique leisure offer here at Peterborough One.  The feedback we have received from other tenants and local people has been nothing short of fantastic.  This is an integral part of our plan to maintain vibrancy here on this well-loved retail park~”

Inflata Nation is a national franchise with other outlets in Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, West Bromwich and Runcorn.

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants acted on behalf of the Landlord Barrow Close Investments Limited.

For more information contact Susan Harrison.

The White Company has now opened for trading in Windsor Yards Shopping Centre.  The ‘affordable luxury’ lifestyle brand takes the former Dorothy Perkins unit at 18/19 Windsor Yards adjacent to Timberland and Vision Express.  This will be The White Company’s first store in Windsor.

Sarah King, The White Company Director of Property –  “We are delighted to be opening a store in Windsor, providing both new and existing customers with luxury products at competitive prices.”

“As a premier shopping and tourist destination catering to a wealth of domestic and international shoppers, Windsor was an obvious choice for a new standalone store for the White Company.”

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants acted for The White Company and continue to search for sites to expand their portfolio.

For more information please contact Peter Leverett

The award winning fish and chip brand The Cod’s Scallops has opened its doors in Market Harborough.

Not just your ordinary chippy, The Cod’s Scallops offers a whole array of delights for the seafood lover – sea bass, mussels, monk fish, sword fish, prawns, hake, cod, whelks and even oysters…. They have taken 1,289 sq ft at ground floor at Edinburgh House, Abbey Street on a new 10 year lease. The restaurant has 40 covers as well as a takeaway. This will be their 4th location, currently trading from Wollaton, Carrington and Long Eaton, with the brand’s commitment to serving ‘the freshest seafood in town’ has earned a number of awards, including being voted one of the top 50 takeaways in the UK.

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants acted for the landlord and Box Property acted for The Cods Scallops.

For more information please contact Ben Taylor.

The doors have finally opened in yet another new arrival on Stamford’s high street.  Mint Velvet are now open at 6 High Street where they have taken 1,700 sq ft  on a 10 year lease.  The High Wycombe based Mint Velvet which promotes “relaxed glamour” was launched 9 years ago and has around 40 stores across the UK, plus several in Dubai.   Stamford’s main shopping street is enjoying a boost with several additional traders moving in recently.

SPACE acted for the landlord Narans & Johal Limited.

For more information please contact Susan Harrison.

SPACE are delighted to announce that Mowgli is now open in St Martin’s Square, Leicester.

Mowgli first opened in Liverpool in 2014 when founder Nisha Katona had a nagging obsession to build an eatery serving the kind of food Indians eat at home and on their streets.

The Leicester opening is their 10th restaurant to open and occupies 2,241 sq ft at 10-12 St Martin’s joining recent lettings in the vicinity including Just So Italian and Giggling Squid.

SPACE acted on behalf of the Landlord Shearer Property Group Limited.

For more information please contact Martin Herbert

SPACE Retail Property Consultants are pleased to announce the final Pre Letting has been completed at the new District Centre being developed by Tungsten Properties.

Due to open in November 2019, having secured Heart of England Co-op as the Convenience store retailer, subsequent lettings have been concluded to Johnsons Dry Cleaners, Greggs, Salvation Army, Consol, Toolstation and Topps Tiles.

Martin Herbert of SPACE commented: “It’s been a pleasure working with all parties involved in this development. Tungsten are an experienced developer and had a great team working with them to bring this scheme forward. As with every development, various problems arose throughout the land assembly and planning process but no problem was unsurmountable and with the hard work and effort of the whole team we have been able to deliver a quality offer and we are all confident the tenants will relish the opportunity being presented.”

For more information please contact Martin Herbert

Located in one of the most iconic areas in London, the new Pasta Remoli is just a few steps away from Wembley Stadium, The SSE Wembley Arena, Troubadour Theatre and BoxPark Wembley.

Their fast casual restaurant serves delicious pasta in just a few minutes and is ideal for people looking for a quick bite and for those heading to an event in the busy area of Wembley Park, but it’s also great for the regular customers that are looking to enjoy their meal relaxed at the table and experience all the authenticity of the traditional homemade pasta like in an Italian trattoria.

SPACE continue to advise Pasta Remoli who are currently considering a few options for 2020.

For more information contact Martin Herbert.

St Martin’s Shopping Centre is pleased to welcome Just So Italian, the new addition to an already strong complimentary retail mix. Just So Italian are a midlands based Café/ Deli who are located in Market Harborough, Stamford and now St Martins – Leicester. Specialising in traditional Italian food and Coffee, Just So Italian also offer a selection of hampers and fresh foods available over the counter.

St Martin’s last week saw the letting of the former Grill Stock unit to the 32 strong restaurant operator Giggling Squid and will see Mowgli – an Indian Street Food Concept open it’s doors in August 2019.  St Martin’s has one restaurant unit currently still available and is targeting another like for like leading restaurant operator to further enhance the Square and it’s food and beverage offer.

Martin Herbert of SPACE Retail Property Consultants said “The growth of St Martin’s in recent years is a tribute to the proactive stance which the landlords have adopted to enhance the scheme.  A focus on the right tenant has led to a healthy and complimentary tenant mix for the Square, creating a strong mix of ‘best in class’ independent retailers and restaurateurs”

For more information please contact Martin Herbert

SPACE are pleased to announce The White Company are opening 2 new stores later this year, bringing the lifestyle brand to Windsor and Southampton.

The White Company have signed a new 10 year lease to take a 4,000 sqft trading store at Windsor Yards, Windsor.  The unit is due to open in October 2019.

The landlords, Aberdeen Standard were represented by Nick Warr of GCW

The Southampton store is to open at Westquay Shopping Centre, spanning c. 6,500 sqft, the shop will be open in time for Christmas.

Sarah King, Director of Property at The White Company, said “The White Company is delighted that we will be opening in time for Christmas in Westquay.  We have been looking at Southampton for quite some time and following our successful pop-up in Westquay last Christmas we knew this opportunity would be a perfect addition to our portfolio.”

The landlords, Hammerson were represented by Jerry White of CBRE.

The White Company were represented by their retained agents SPACE – Retail Property Consultants.

For further information please contact Peter Leverett.

Shearer Property Group (SPG), are delighted to announce the arrival of Giggling Squid at St. Martins Square, in The Lanes area of Leicester.

They will open in Q4 this year, occupying the former Grillstock / Pizza Express unit within the heart of the square, joining Mowgli who are due to open within the scheme on 12th August.
Their arrival will add to the vibrant and eclectic mix of strong, independent retailers and restaurateurs including Bodega Cantina, Kai, Tonne, The Bottle Garden, The Zero Waste Store and St. Martins Coffee / Crafty Burger.

Giggling Squid will trade from c.2500 sq. ft. on the ground floor with additional balconied first floor seating. They will utilise the entrance fronting the Square, introducing bi-fold shopfronts and also open up the period entrance on Cank St, helping to improve footfall around St. Martins and The Lanes in general.

Martin Herbert of SPACE – Retail Property Consultants, who advised SPG, commented: “Giggling Squid will bring to Leicester a fantastic, high quality, Thai dining experience and their choice of St. Martins, being complementary to the other dining offers within the Square, will add to the vibrant and ever-increasing offer available in The Lanes. The market is moving away from the mass-branded Casual dining offers found in so many shopping centres and the inclusion of Giggling Squid at St Martins is a testament to the work that both Shearer Property Group and Leicester City Council have put into continually improving this unique part of the city centre.”

Martin Herbert added: “Now that Giggling Squid are signed up, we want to find one more appropriate restaurant operator for the last unit in the Square”.

For more information contact Martin Herbert

Pasta Remoli, the artisan independently owned fresh fast casual pasta restaurant group, have signed for their fourth unit in Wembley park, adding to their existing units in Finsbury Park, Westfield Stratford and Ealing Broadway.

The unit, at the junction of Olympic Way and Weaver Lane, totals 1044 sq ft plus mezzanine and will offer the full pasta and sauce range for both eat-in and take-out.

Simone Remoli said: The Wembley Park development is an fantastic example of a redevelopment of a vast tranche of London and with their innovative approach to design, commercial tenant mix and creation of a new urban village, we can’t wait to open our doors to the thousand’s of people who live, work and play here!

Martin Herbert of SPACE Retail Property Consultants who advised Pasta Remoli said: This is a development we have been monitoring for 18 months and are delighted to have secured this highly prominent unit. Pasta Remoli will be having a controlled rollout of units for the foreseeable future and are currently considering a few options for 2020.

The landlords were represented by Nash Bond and Cushman & Wakefield

For more information contact Martin Herbert

Rutland Cycling’s new multi brand bike shop has now opened its doors in Milton Keynes making it one of the UK’s largest independent cycle stores at 15,000  sq ft.

David Middlemiss, Rutland’s Chief Executive, said: “This is an exciting time for Rutland Cycling – our new Milton Keynes store will move cycle retail up to the next level, delivering a premium, department store experience to customers with a full range of products in stock, interactive product displays, custom sizing and fit technology. And, most importantly, the top quality service that Rutland Cycling is renowned for, with an exceptional team of qualified staff and a strong ethos of a friendly, family-run business.

“We look forward to being part of the local cycling community in Milton Keynes, building good relationships with the business and retail sectors, local cycling clubs and groups, schools, individuals and organisations, to help grow and support the cycling community in Milton Keynes.”

Rutland Cycling are a leading independently owned business with 12 stores selling road, mountain and E-Bikes from the world’s premium cycling brands.  SPACE are instructed to find further opportunities across the UK.

Please contact Rob Palmer for further details.

The West Yorkshire based menswear store, Brook Taverner has opened now in Beverley’s Toll Gavel.

Since 1912 Brook Taverner have been in relentless pursuit of the finest and most prestigious cloths, materials, and tailors worldwide to lovingly create a menswear range of suits, jackets, trousers and outerwear.

This is the first Yorkshire store for the menswear brand who currently have concessions in stores across the country and 3 standalone stores in Scotland.

Owner Jason Scott says: “We are very excited to be opening our first Yorkshire store in Beverley, it represents an ideal opportunity for us to showcase our fantastic ranges in a modern, purpose-built store. We think there is a definite demand on the high street for a classic, traditional menswear store. Beverley has the right demographic for us, there’s a lovely feel to the town and it’s perfect for us. As soon as we came and saw it we wanted to be there”.

SPACE – Retail Property Consultants acted on behalf of Brook Taverner and are fully retained to locate new locations stores throughout the UK.  35 Toll Gavel is 1,241 sq ft on ground floor and has been taken on a new FRI lease for a term of 10 years.

The landlord Akzo Nobel CIF Nominees Limited c/o CBRE Global Investors were advised by Robinson Webster.

For more information contact Rob Palmer

Acting on behalf of private investor clients we are delighted to have let The Settling Rooms in Market Harborough.

Terms for the first floor were agreed with Beauty Defined, a leading beauty aesthetics clinic, which was a relocation for Beauty Defined from The Wharf where they had traded for several years.

The ground floor was let to a local businessman who has opened a restaurant – taking the name of the building and serving fresh coffee, signature cocktails, wines and Charcuterie.

For more information contact Susan Harrison.

Acting on behalf of RREEF Spezial Invest GmbH, SPACE are delighted to have let Unit 3 Springfields Retail Park, Market Harborough, comprising 6,000 sq ft to Shoe Zone. The unit adjoins Pets at Home and Sainsbury’s and is close to Homebase. The unit fronts a 650 space car park forming one of the town’s main car parks.