High street giant Next has brushed aside the gloom in the retail sector by taking an extra 10,000 sq ft at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, near Bristol, to create a 43,000 sq ft flagship store.
The move comes as a number of other lifestyle retailers plan to open at the shopping centre before Christmas, including Hugo Boss, which has taken a 2,500 sq ft store, and Jack & Jones, which has signed up for a 2,150 sq ft unit.
L’Occitane and Love Coffee have also recently opened at The Mall along with Austin Reed, which has upsized by 60% to 4,600 sq ft to incorporate Country Casuals and Viyella.
All these are on new 10-year leases while Next’s additional space is on a 15-year lease. The new arrivals at The Mall are in stark contrast to many traditional high streets, which are witnessing decline as stores close down in the face of the toughest trading conditions for more than a generation.
David Mace, regional senior director at GVA, The Mall’s letting agents, said: “This raft of lettings continues to demonstrate the appeal of The Mall at Cribbs Causeway for retailers and confirms its position as the South West’s leading regional centre.”
The 135-store Mall is owned by developer JT Baylis, Prupim and Capital Shopping Centres. Cushman and Wakefield are joint agents with GVA.
