British Land has today completed the £100m refurbishment of Meadowhall shopping centre near Sheffield, which it owns in partnership with Norges Bank.
The two-year refurbishment programme saw the creation of four districts in the 1.4m sq ft centre, the reduction or removal of columns and bulkheads to create lighter, brighter malls, with new glazing, improved lighting and new customer seating, and the introduction of a number of new stores for debuting and existing retailers.
BL said that the investment – £60m from the REIT and £40m from retailers – had already made a positive impact on performance, with footfall on Black Friday up 8%, making it the busiest on record. The prime zone-A rental tone has risen to more than £400, reflecting strong demand for space.
Charles Maudsley, head of retail, leisure and residential at BL, said: “The transformation we have achieved at Meadowhall is a great example of how we have listened to our customers and responded to their needs to create space that works for shoppers and enables retailers to thrive in an omni-channel world. It also demonstrates the value we place in working in partnership with the community to deliver significant, long-lasting benefits to the Sheffield City Region.”
BL’s head of Meadowhall Claire Barber added: “Meadowhall is a very different place as a result of our investment. It is lighter and brighter; the space is more modern and the offer is significantly enhanced so it is the first choice for shoppers across the region. Together with our longer term plans for the centre, Meadowhall has a great future as one of the leading retail and leisure destinations in the UK.”
The refurbishment of Meadowhall will be followed by the development of a Leisure Hall, which was granted planning consent in September. The £300m extension will add 330,000 sq ft of new catering and leisure to Meadowhall, as well as enhanced public realm and other amenities.
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