Redevelopment work at The Parade Shopping Centre in Swindon is progressing on target, with owners UK Commercial Property Trust (UKCPT) and their development partners Shearer Property Group, confirming that River Island has exchanged contracts on its new 9,500 sq ft flagship store.
River Island currently trades successfully from The Parade and has taken this opportunity to significantly enlarge its representation within Swindon.
Adam Markwell, director of Shearer Property Group, said that construction work at The Parade is well underway, with handover of the first units planned for the end of August. TopShop/TopMan is looking to have its 10,000 sq ft store at the junction of The Parade and Regent Street trading before Christmas 2010. Progress has been extremely encouraging, and we are confident that The Parade is on track to transform this corner of Swindo
Two further units each of 1,400 sq ft sales plus ancillary are also now being marketed by retail agents GVA Grimley and Jones Lang LaSalle, and will be available for handover at the end of August, to be followed by the final two larger units later in the year.
Chris Wright, director at GVA Grimley said: “With River Island now joining Bhs, TopShop/TopMan and the 100,000 sq ft Debenhams, The Parade offers the opportunity for more retailers to be a part of this vibrant, modern centre which will be the focus of Swindons retail offer.”
Work at The Parade started earlier this year when the existing Bhs store was demolished to make room for 80,000 sq ft of prime new retail space. Bhs is trading temporarily from the former Woolworths store at the other end of Regent Street until its new 45,000 sq ft concept store opens in The Parade in spring 2011.
