Expansion Continues for AS Retail

AS Retail, the niche retail property advisory company founded in March 2015, continues to expand with the appointment of Rob Jones as Director.

Rob, who has over 10 years’ of professional experience, joins from the Shopping Centre Leasing Team at CBRE where he spent two years working with major clients including Legal & General, Schroders, Land Securities and Hermes. Rob spent 8 years prior at Brasier Freeth where he focussed on High Street and Shopping Centre leasing work nationwide plus providing advice to occupier clients.

He will focus on providing advice to Occupier and Landlord clients nationwide, delivering additional experience and depth to AS Retail’s core disciplines of shopping centre and high street leasing, site acquisition and disposals programmes plus providing investment and development advice.

This is the fourth hire for AS Retail in the two years since inception. The team has expanded expeditiously to date, with the appointment of lease advisory specialist Eleanor Oldershaw in November 2015 followed by the hires of Charlotte Lodge as Marketing Assistant and James Jenkins as Surveyor last year.

Andrew Shepherd, Director at AS Retail said: “Rob brings with him a wealth of knowledge, experience and complementary contacts within the retail industry. He will be a major driver in the development of our shopping centre and high street portfolios whilst strengthening our market presence from its existing platform. I am delighted that he has chosen to join us and am excited about the prospects for the future of the company”.

Rob Jones comments: “I am thrilled to become part of the dynamic team at AS Retail at a time where they are clearly going from strength to strength. They have an impressive existing client base, and I am excited to get to work on their varied workload and also bring with me my own network of contacts.”

BoConcept Flagship Store Acquired

AS Retail, the niche retail advisory company, have advised international furniture and lifestyle retailer BoConcept, on the acquisition of their brand new Flagship store on Rose Street, Edinburgh.

Situated in the heart of the City Centre, BoConcept will trade over 2 floors and are due to open in time for Christmas.

AS Retail are instructed by BoConcept to secure new stores nationwide in 2017. Please contact the team directly to discuss these requirements further.

 

Image Credit: BoConcept. The BoConcept website can be viewed here.

New Disposal Instructions A1/A2/A3 use

We are delighted to have been invited by a major occupier to assist with the confidential disposal of seven properties across the UK. The sites are all in prominent locations and would suit A1, A2 or A3 operators. The sites are located in Boston, Brighton, East Kilbride, Leyton, Maidenhead, Merry Hill and Salisbury.

An accommodation schedule is available via the property search and further details will be provided to named parties. Please contact Andrew Shepherd at AS Retail for further information.

Agent Turns Shopkeeper

AS Retail, the niche retail agency company has spent a day working at the Traid Charity Shop in Dalston on 23rd August 2016.

Traid are an award winning London based charity with 12 retail stores in locations such as Camden, Clapham, Brixton, Peckham and Wood Green. They specialise in retailing vintage and branded clothing from their high quality retail stores with the proceeds going towards Aid and International Development. They have their own fashion label, Traid Remade, and more information on their activities can be found at www.traid.org.uk.

Andrew Shepherd, Charlotte Lodge and James Jenkins spent the day working in the warehouse sorting clothing and donations, merchandising the store and assisting customers.

Andrew commented: “Traid have been clients for ten years and I thought it was about time for us to give something back. This day has been eye-opening in many ways, not only providing us with an insight into Traid’s activities but also educating us as retail property surveyors on the practicalities of successfully running a shop and retail chain.”

Smiggle launches new Coventry Store

AS Retail, the niche retail advisory company, acting on behalf of Royal London Asset Management, have let a unit within Lower Precinct Shopping Centre, Coventry, to international stationery retailer Smiggle as they continue their expansion in the UK.

This is a 100% prime unit and Smiggle were the selected party after a competitive bidding situation. The property sits between Next and H&M with Smiggle aiming to open in the next few weeks following a comprehensive re-fit.

Andrew Shepherd, Director of AS Retail commented: “Smiggle are an excellent addition to Lower Precinct and boosts the tenant line-up further following the lettings over the past two years to Schuh, Pandora, Tiger and F Hinds. Other asset management opportunities exist for retailers to obtain representation within the centre.”

Cards Direct expansion continues to accelerate

AS Retail have advised Cards Direct on their most recent store acquisition at Bouverie Place Shopping Centre, Folkestone, where they will join over 20 leading retailers. This will be the fourth store opening this year for the card retailer, following Canterbury, Basingstoke and Aylesbury, taking the portfolio to 13.

Please contact AS Retail to discuss Card’s Direct’s requirements or request the requirement list.