Category: News

The fabulous new Starbucks outlet has opened at Magna Square in Egham.

Totalling approx. 1,800 sq ft on a single level, this highly prominent unit sits opposite the 4-screen Everyman Cinema, Spielburger Restaurant and Liberto Lounge. It has frontages to busy Church Road as well as the traffic free boulevard at Magna Square where they can place external covers.

Magna Square is a £90m mixed use development in the heart of Egham town centre which also includes 101 private dwellings, 100 student beds, a new Budgens supermarket and high end hair salon G&T.

Andrew Shepherd, Director at AS Retail who conducted the negotiations on behalf of the landlord commented “We are delighted to welcome Cobra Coffee trading as Starbucks to Magna Square. It’s by far the smartest coffee bar in town and thus far appears to have been trading incredibly well.”

There is still one remaining unit of c. 1,300 sq ft which would suit a grab and go or full catering occupier as an extraction route is in place and it is ready for immediate occupation.  Please contact Andrew Shepherd or Kathryn Evans for further information.

We are excited to announce that our long term clients Cards Direct have opened their 50^th store at Parkway Shopping Centre in Newbury, Berkshire. This is an amazing milestone for the company with more store openings to come in the next few weeks and months.

Cards Direct are an independent greetings card retailer selling a superb selection of British made cards along with gift wrap, gift bags, gifts and similar items from their store network and via their website at www.cardsdirect.co.uk.

The store network now stretches from Poole to Wolverhampton, to Lowestoft and to Folkestone with some of the next openings pushing the geography further.

Andrew Shepherd, Director at AS Retail commented “We at AS Retail are delighted to be helping Cards Direct with their store acquisition programme. We already have another batch of new stores in the pipeline for 2023 opening but are still seeking more. Please get in touch with me to discuss any opportunities.”

If you have anything you feel might be suitable for Cards Direct, then please contact Andrew Shepherd with the details.

 

AS Retail are honoured to have advised Cancer Research UK on their recent acquisition of their new Superstore in Aberdeen, Scotland.  Situated at Beach Boulevard Retail Park, the 8,446 sq ft store sits between Smyths Toys and Aldi, with other occupiers including Wren, Home Bargains and Iceland, amongst others.

Andrew Shepherd, Director at AS Retail who conducted the negotiations commented “We are delighted to have assisted in securing this superb site for CRUK. Our good friend Nick Downing, who sadly passed away last year, put this deal together on behalf of CRUK and we are pleased to have navigated the transaction through to a successful conclusion. Going forward, we are appointed to continue Nick’s good work and are actively seeking more superstore sites in Scotland and Northern Ireland.”

We are actively seeking more sites of between 5,000 – 12,000 sq ft in busy out of town / retail park locations in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Please message Andrew Shepherd or Georgina Massey for further information.

Coates & Co and Paradigm advised the landlords in the transaction.

 

AS Retail are excited to announce the opening of the new BoConcept showroom on London Road in St Albans.

BoConcept are the global leading furniture and lifestyle brand, originating from Denmark they now have 337 stores in 65 countries around the world.  Arranged over two levels, the 5,700 sq ft store’s fitout is absolutely stunning showing off its fantastic furniture, accessories and homewares.  Other occupiers situated close by are Raft, Cote Brasserie, Fired Earth and CP Hart Bathrooms amongst other complementary occupiers.

Andrew Shepherd, Director at AS Retail commented “St Albans is a long-standing requirement for our clients and we are delighted to have advised them on the acquisition of this fantastic building.”

AS Retail advised BoConcept on the negotiation and acquisition of the premises and Aitchison Rafferty advised the landlord.

Please click the link here to BoConcept’s website: Modern & Contemporary Furniture St Albans – BoConcept

Surrey Heath Borough Council and their Asset Manager Montagu Evans have appointed specialist retail and leisure agency AS Retail as lead leasing advisor on The Square Shopping Centre in Camberley.

With over 150 units of varying sizes and totalling approx. 540,000 sq ft, The Square is the retail destination for Camberley. Brands such as Primark, House of Fraser, Sainsbury’s, JD Sports, Jack Wills, TK Maxx, Boots and Deichmann, sit alongside strong local independent offerings including – I love my bike, Rockbox, Mrs Potts Palace, Willow & Nutmeg, and many more; bringing unique local brands into the centre.

Alice Theobald, Retail Asset Manager for Surrey Heath Borough Council commented:-

‘’The appointment of AS Retail marks an exciting time, as we continue to ensure the scheme remains relevant, offering both convenience and unique independents whilst attracting larger aspirational brands to demonstrate our commitment to offering something for everyone within Camberley.’’

The town itself has also recently been voted UK’s top town for doing business by the public from a short list of 12 as a part of a national initiative from Enterprise Nation.

Andrew Shepherd, Director at AS Retail commented “We are delighted to have been selected to work alongside Montagu Evans advising Surrey Heath Borough Council on not only the day-to-day leasing of this excellent shopping centre, but also to strategically assist in delivering the long-term vision with The Square Shopping Centre really being at the heart of the wider Town Centre redevelopment plans ahead. Please contact myself and the AS Retail team to register your retail, catering, leisure or service sector requirements.”

Our clients Jetts Fitness have opened their forth, and largest London club in Hammersmith talking the UK total to 13 with another two opening soon and further clubs in the pipeline.

Situated at The Assembly, 77 Fulham Palace Road, the club totals some 11,000 sq ft over ground floor and mezzanine and is a short walk to Hammersmith underground station, close to Charing Cross Hospital.

Jetts Hammersmith will accommodate the highest quality equipment, more than 120 classes including their J-Series HIIT programme, and provide its members with a fantastic fitness experience all set within it’s stunning fit out. You can see more on Jetts Hammersmith including a fly-though on their website https://jetts.co.uk/gyms/jetts-hammersmith

Andrew Shepherd, Director at AS Retail who conducted the negotiations on behalf Jetts commented “We are thrilled to see this fantastic club open. It has been a long time in the planning and is showcasing what Jetts is all about”.

We are still looking for more clubs for Jetts of 5,000 sq ft (we can go larger!) in South East England, Greater London area as well as nationwide with a focus on affluent areas. Please contact Andrew Shepherd for further information.

We are thrilled to announce four new occupiers have signed to join the line up at Lower Precinct, Coventry.

Lower Precinct totals approximately 250,000 sq ft and sits in the heart of Coventry City Centre, boasting an existing line up including River Island, H&M, Pandora, The Entertainer, O2 and New Look amongst others.

Superdrug will be opening soon in an 8,000 sq ft unit on the lower level immediately adjacent to the new 4,000 sq ft Shoe Zone which opened last week.

Blue Banana are fitting out 2,500 sq ft on the upper mall adjacent to Trespass and Clarks with MyGeisha, an Eastern European cosmetic brand who have been expanding throughout Europe, selecting Coventry for their UK entry, taking a 1,600 sq ft unit also on the lower mall.

Andrew Shepherd commented “Coventry is the place to be! The recent investment into the aesthetics of the city centre and forthcoming city centre south scheme are driving interest in the city from existing occupiers for relocations and upsizes as well as numerous new entrants seeking representation in the city. We will be making more announcements about incoming occupies shortly but do have asset management opportunities of between 600 – 6,000 sq ft available so please get in touch to discuss your requirement.”

AS Retail are joint agents with Wright Silverwood and Space Retail Property Consultants in the letting of Lower Precinct.

AS Retail are excited to announce that Cards Direct have expanded again and have opened another store, this time at The Kingfisher Centre in Redditch.

The unit sits on prime Evesham Walk, opposite New Look and Superdrug, with c. 2,000 sq ft of great retail space plus storage.  Cards Direct are an independent greetings card retailer with a great selection of quality cards, roll wrap, gifts plus other similar product lines at competitive prices.  Please visit their website here for further information: www.cardsdirect.co.uk.

Andrew Shepherd, Director of AS Retail commented “We are delighted to have advised Cards Direct on this store acquisition and they will be a great addition to the centre, especially with Christmas just around the corner.  Cards Direct have acquired six stores in the last year and are still looking to grow throughout next and beyond”

If you any anything suitable for Cards Direct, please do not hesitate to contact @Andrew Shepherd with the details.

AS Retail advised Cards Direct on the deal and Jamieson Mills Property advised the landlord.

Due to abortive negotiations AS Retail are instructed to bring 156-157 Tottenham Court Road back to the market on the basis of a lease assignment or sub-lease. We do not have consent for catering – it needs to be retail or banking use only.

The property was formerly occupied by Loft Living and sits adjacent to the BoConcept flagship showroom and close to Camerich, Calligaris, Futon Company, West Elm, Natuzzi and Heals.  Other retail and catering brands in close proximity are Leon, Itsu, Pret and Franco Manca.

Area: 2,517 sq ft (235 sq m)
Lease: Held on a lease expiring Dec 2028 at £245,000 pax with security of tenure. An ex-act sub-lease would be considered.
Service Charge: Approx. £5,100
RV: £174,000

We look forward to hearing whether this might be of interest to your clients and, for further information, please contact Andrew Shepherd.

 

AS Retail have been asked to assist with the roll-out of Dragon Hot Pot, an exciting new QSR entry to the UK market. Backed by the ST Group, a major Australian catering company who brought Gong Cha Bubble Tea to the UK, the brand has expanded throughout Australia and into Indonesia and are now looking to make its debut in Europe.

Please see the core requirements below and click here for Dragon Hot Pot’s website:- https://lnkd.in/gj4vMDcx

Locations:-
London Stations / Central and Greater London High Streets
Food Courts / Shopping Centres
In close proximity to Universities

Size: 1,500 – 2,000 sq ft
Preferably single level
E Class Restaurant or Sui Generis takeaway use
Former Food Outlets preferred
Gas and Extraction required

For further information please contact Georgina Massey at AS Retail.