Property investment and asset management firm Tri7 and Fusion Students have submitted a pre-application proposal to Leeds City Council for the redevelopment of the Core Shopping Centre.
The shopping centre, previously known as the Headrow Shopping Centre, is located on the site of the former Schofields department store.
The jv plans to demolish the premises and develop three buildings of nine storeys, which will provide 36,000 sq ft of retail space and an 809-bed PBSA scheme.
The 1.65-acre site has prior planning permission for the erection of a part four-storey and part three-storey shopping centre, comprising 51 store units, a food court with 10 kiosks and seating area and a coffee court with a kiosk.
The application will be reviewed by the council’s planning committee in a meeting later this week.
The planning officer’s report for the meeting said: “The Core is in use but has been significantly impacted by changing retail trends and shopping habits, as well as the construction of the Trinity and Victoria Gate shopping centres to the south and east.
“Previous attempts to rejuvenate the centre include major reconfigurations and refurbishments in 2009 and 2014, and subsequent interventions to improve access, maximise lettable space and diversify the focus of the centre away from pure retail, as evidenced by the introduction of The Gym Group and the Hot Room Yoga Studio.
“Despite these efforts, the centre remains significantly underused, with only around a third of the building occupied. Many key stores are vacant, significant sections are totally vacant, and a number of other occupiers have confirmed their intention to vacate the building when their leases end.”
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