BCSC 2015: Demand from leisure and food operators for space in regional shopping centres is on the rise, while growth in greater London has experienced a slowdown in the last 12 months.
In the same week BCSC returns to Manchester for its annual conference, the North West has shown encouragingly strong growth with a 3.4% increase in the number of leisure businesses opening across shopping centres in the region.
The new data jointly released by BCSC and the Local Data Company today shows the number of leisure operators in shopping centres is expanding the fastest in Scotland, reporting a 3.9% increase, closely followed by the South West at 3.6% and the East Midlands with just under 3.6% per cent.
This strong performance in the regions shows businesses are looking to expand outside of the capital where a level of saturation in the leisure market and high rents have combined to make other locations more attractive.
Premium American doughnut brand Krispy Kreme opened eight new stores in the regions over the year. Similarly, the majority of popular burger restaurant Five Guys’ new restaurants are spread outside of London.
Edward Cooke, director of policy and public affairs, British Council of Shopping Centres, said: “This data shows how the focus is shifting away from London and the benefits of the expansion of food and leisure in shopping centres in boosting local economies by creating all-day destinations which tap into the evening economy.”
Matthew Hopkinson, director of The Local Data Company, added: “The growth of F&B in regions other than London is encouraging and a wider reflection of increasing consumer confidence nationally.”
