Marks & Spencer Outlet has become the latest retailer to sign up for the Berkeley Group's Gunwharf Quays mixed-use development on Portsmouth's historic waterfront after taking a lease on a 10,368 sq ft unit offering a range of childrenswear, ladieswear menswear, homeware and beauty products.
"We are delighted to be involved at Gunwharf Quays, which we see as the premier mixed-use centre on the south coast," said Michael Stanier, head of Marks & Spencer Outlet. "This opening will be the tenth Marks & Spencer Outlet to open in little over a 12-month trading period. Our Gunwharf Quays store will be our largest to date."
Also joining Marks & Spencer among the recent new signings are Cotton Traders, Thorntons and Carphone Warehouse which, between them, bring the total space let at Gunwharf Quays since the beginning of this year to 351,536 sq ft.
Carphone Warehouse will be the first of the latest batch to be open for business when its 855 sq ft unit, on which the company has taken a five-year lease, starts trading this week. Of the others, Cotton Traders has taken a five-year lease on 1,036 sq ft selling ladies and menswear and outdoorwear, while Thorntons has already opened its 1,049 sq ft speciality confectionery outlet.
The most recent batch of lettings follow the opening for business at Gunwharf Quays last month of sporting and fashion accessories retailer Oakley's first UK factory outlet centre. Oakley has taken a three-year lease on 1,142 sq ft of space.
Upmarket fashion retailer Episode is also now open for business after taking a five-year lease on 2,200 sq ft, while Lakeland Fine Leathers has taken a five-year lease on 1,700 sq ft opposite Talbots and French Connection for their third UK factory outlet centre.
Less than a year after its official opening, Gunwharf Quays has outstripped projections for visitor numbers with more than five million visitors, some two million more than Berkeley's estimate for the whole of the first year.
In December, the Portsmouth International Marine Insurance Centre relocated from existing offices in Portsmouth and joined recently-installed occupiers, the recruitment company, Pertemps, and the BBC, at Gunwharf's 25,000 sq ft Admirals offices.
Derek Goff ,of Pertemps, said: "The best thing about our offices at Gunwharf Quays is the wow factor that all our visitors and candidates experience when they walk in the door.
"Not only that, but compared with other towns I have worked in such as Basingstoke, Croydon and Redhill, Portsmouth is an absolute dream in terms of access."
Gunwharf Quays' spectacular waterfront location integrates the maritime heritage of Portsmouth with an unparalleled mix of 65 designer outlets, 20 cosmopolitan bars and restaurants and diverse leisure activities.
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