Hines secured new deals with top brands Hotel Chocolat, New Look and schuh Kids at The Centre, Livingston

Hines, the international real estate firm, has secured new leases at The Centre, Livingston, with a range of top retail brands including Hotel Chocolat, New Look, Specsavers and schuh Kids.

Hotel Chocolat moved into The Centre in late August, taking 1,433 square feet of space on a five-year lease. In addition, New Look will increase their presence in The Centre, relocating from their current store into a larger 10,700 square feet space. The high street fashion brand will complete its move into the new space in early 2020.

Specsavers will also relocate from its current location into a larger space at The Centre, taking a 10-year lease on a 3,502 square feet unit. Fashion brand schuh, which is located adjacent to Specsavers’ current store, will then expand into the vacated unit allowing the footwear retailer to introduce its schuh Kids range into The Centre.

The latest store openings and expansions, signed with long-term leases, underline The Centre’s continued popularity with retailers and shoppers. The Centre saw a record 16.6 million visitors over the past year, with visitor numbers up 8.3% on this time last year. In 2018, The Centre’s adjacent retail park also saw the opening of Next and TK Maxx’s introduction of its Home Sense concept, while H&M moved into the former BHS store within The Centre.

Eric Young & Co and Savills acted for the landlord on the new leases.

Sharon Bloodworth, Director of Shopping Centre Asset Management at Hines, said: “The Centre continues to attract the UK’s biggest and best loved retailers, providing a dynamic mix of retail and food and beverage brands. At a time of disruption in retail, The Centre is bucking the national trend, with retailers seeing record footfall and introducing new ranges. Livingston’s population continues to grow, and our retailers are successfully combining their digital and physical stores, with more than 40 retailers offering click and collect services at The Centre.”

Peter M Harris, Co-Founder & Development Director at Hotel Chocolat, said: “We are delighted to have opened this new Hotel Chocolat to share our passion for world-class chocolates with the shoppers of in Livingston. Available in store will be The Velvetiser, the home hot chocolate making system as well our authentic and original range of chocolates for Christmas.”

The Centre, Livingston, comprises 1 million square feet of retail space and is situated in Scotland’s commercial heartland. It is home to over 160 retailers, including Primark, H&M, TK Maxx and M&S, as well as various restaurants, including Nando’s, Wagamama and ASK Italian. The Centre is also an important and popular local employer, attracting over 1,100 local people to its September 2019 recruitment event and with over 150 roles advertised by retailers.