Shopping centre owners were attacked for taking the safe option on tenant mixes at last week’s British Council of Shopping Centres conference in Harrogate. Gill South reports.
Richard Boland, chief executive of discount retailer What Everyone Wants, struck out at shopping centre developers, calling for a stronger regional element in regional centres. This would create more business for local manufacturers, he explained.
“Many players in this industry are down-sizing. Meanwhile, new entrepreneurs should be encouraged to enter,” he suggested.
Boland was critical of the reluctance of landlords to invite into their centres discount stores when more than half the population is in the C2, D and E economic brackets. This group is badly catered for, he said.
The sector spends £7.5bn pa in shopping centres, while expenditure by As and Bs is almost double at £14.5bn, he added.
Others joined in the attack on the lack of variety at UK centres, with landlords always taking the safe multiples option. Bob Knowles, BAA retail director, said: “Shopping centre developers should be looking to give new entrants a soft deal to get them into their centres,” he said.
“Consumers want to be excited by the merchandise,” he added.
Keynote speaker Sir John Harvey-Jones chipped in: “More and more there is a wish for choice from consumers of individualism and more access to niche shops.”
Long-term leases again came under fire. “Landlords should offer short-term lets for start-up businesses and one year rent-free in a business expansion scheme,” added Boland in a wish list.
