Member Article

Leeds Merrion Centre reports record number of visitors

The iconic Leeds shopping destination, the Merrion Centre, has reported a record breaking number of shoppers. The Centre had a remarkable 11.2 million visitors throughout 2014, the highest on record since it opened 50 years ago and a 5% increase year on year.

As part of a £50 million refurbishment, the Centre is currently undergoing, a £13m investment and has developed the Centre’s new Arena Leisure Quarter on Merrion Way, adjacent to the first direct Arena. Occupants in the new development include LAB bar, Proper Sandwich Company, Costa, MFA bowl, Pure Gym and Bulgogi Grill, which opened its doors at the end of August. Bulgogi Grill has brought the exciting concept of Korean BBQ to Leeds and between the 2nd – 12th December, when there was an array of concerts being held at the first direct Arena, the restaurant’s sales increased by an impressive 60%.

Edward Ziff, chairman and chief executive of Town Centre Securities PLC comments; “It fills us with pride to see so many people taking advantage of our fantastic retail and ever growing leisure offering. We’ve had over half a million more visitors in 2014, compared to 2013. Helped by the regeneration of the area and the impact of Leeds first direct Arena, the Arena Quarter on a whole is prospering and the Merrion Centre has experienced an increase in capital value over the last year. We strive to offer choice and variety to our customers and will continue to extend our offering.”

The Centre is now 97.5% let and recent developments include family favourite, Peacocks, moving into a new prime location and extending its lease for another 10 years. The fashion brand has been a part of the Merrion family for the last 15 years and the new store offers customers a bright, fresh shopping experience, highlighting the quality and value of its winter range.

My Thai, which opened last November and invested £50,000 into its new eatery, hit its six month sales target in just four weeks of trading. The eatery has also been nominated for the Oliver Awards 2015, for the best dinning establishment in Yorkshire.

Edward added; “More recently we’ve spent £9m on renovating the Merrion Centre’s car park, it is our flagship car park and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved, offering customers a better and improved parking experience.”

The Merrion Centre Car Park refurbishment comes as Town Centre Car Parks rebrands as CitiPark to reflect the businesses focus on industry-leading technology, first class customer service and investment into energy efficiency.

Edward concludes; “We have more developments in the pipeline for 2015 and believe Leeds Arena Quarter will be an even more exciting retail and leisure destination by the end of the year.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Janie Readman .