Member Article

Frenchgate Ltd Partnership invest £10 million in Doncaster shopping centre

The Frenchgate Limited Partnership, owners of the Frenchgate shopping centre in Doncaster, have commenced a £10 million investment performance plan.

The plan, which is divided into three stages, is forecast for completion Q2 of 2015. The Frenchgate Limited Partnership is a private Irish investment consortium.

The first stage of the detailed plan has already commenced, with specialist jeweller Pandora to open a brand new store, prompting eight other national and local retailers to take advantage of strong trading conditions within the centre.

In addition to new lettings a number of existing tenants are upsizing, resizing or investing in refits across a combined total of over 17,282 sq.ft of store space.

Pandora has taken a lease on 950sq.ft amongst other retailers such as the new tenant Schuh. A host of retailers are resizing and upsizing their stores including Vodafone, Clinton Cards, Holland & Barrett and Argento (full list below).

Peter Boyle, owner and CEO of Argento Jewellery and Pandora, commented - “We are extremely excited to announce we will be opening the town’s first Pandora concept store in Frenchgate. Pandora is the UK’s most popular jewellery brand and we are delighted to present this opportunity to the Frenchgate customers”.

“Our additional investment into refitting Argento at Frenchgate provides us with an important chance to increase our brand presence and delivers on our commitment to assist in the revitalisation of the high street”.

These initial lettings and refits form part of Stage 1 of the plan, and include a new Schuh store, a refit for the Vodafone branch, Clintons Cards resizing to a 3500 sq. ft store and refit, Argento jewelers is one of the first outside Belfast. Refit is 450 sq. ft, Holland & Barrett upsizing taking additional 2000 sq.ft in addition to existing 1500 sq. ft store, Beauty4U - independent, was a kiosk retailer outside the centre. New store of 816 sq. ft, Inside out Art – new store of 930 sq.ft and Party Magic – new store of 2136 sq. ft.

Schuh head of property Mark Horner added “Our store’s performance has spoken for itself at Frenchgate, and we are investing further in this growth market.

“As a retailer we welcome the Partnership’s changes and the overarching plan to boost results at Frenchgate.”

Asset manager Paul Devlin comments, “Frenchgate has outperformed in its sector due to its town centre position and unique transportation hub incorporating bus, rail and multi-storey parking – so this new plan makes perfect sense.

“Sunday trading has particularly been a real boost to sales, whilst our 20,000 student population from Doncaster College – located only minutes away – provides an eager, young customer base.

“Our footfall is increasing year on year and we undoubtedly benefit from our close proximity to the town centre market and our position directly above the bus and rail interchange, which provides a natural flow of visitors consistently throughout the year.”

In close proximity to Frenchgate is Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter, which is undergoing a £300 million regeneration project, covering 25 acres, which will again improve the appeal of the centre and in time further increase footfall.

Frenchgate Doncaster is represented by letting agents Lunson Mitchenall and Rawstron Johnson and is managed by Lambert Smith Hampton (Northern Ireland office).

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .