08 Jul 2010
First phase of £66m redevelopment opens this month
As the £66m extension and refurbishment of The Mall Blackburn sees its first phase open to the public later this month, Capital & Regional announces new lettings to Costa and Deichmann. These signings will take the scheme to 86% pre-let and further announcements are expected shortly.
The 200,000 sq ft extension will see the creation of a 650,000 sq ft centre, anchored by Debenhams and Bhs, that will welcome a new 50,000 sq ft Primark, 11,000 sq ft Peacocks and 5,500 sq ft WHSmith, as well as the relocation of Blackburn market to a 68,000 sq ft state-of-the-art premises at street level; the UK's first permanent continental-style market.
The development has also provided the opportunity for existing retailers, Next, New Look and River Island, to increase their respective unit sizes by 252%, 286% and 120%.
Andrew Haughey, Retail Asset Manager at Capital & Regional, comments "We are delighted to announce that in addition to these pre-lets, Deichmann is taking a 5,500 sq ft unit at the scheme along with Costa, who will trade from a 1,900 sq ft unit. Both have committed to 10 year leases. Solicitors are also instructed on a number of other deals. These include a 1,800 sq ft Carphone Warehouse unit, and four further units, one of 18,000 sq ft, which are under offer to recognised high street fashion brands."
As New Look, Next, Primark and WHSmith put finishing touches to their store fit-outs and prepare for opening at the end of July and into early August, Blackburn is readying itself for the biggest change to its retail profile for decades.
The Mall Blackburn is being developed by Capital & Regional in conjunction with Aviva Investors. The joint letting agents are Montagu Evans and Tushingham Moore.
