Westfield and Hermes, joint owners of The Eagle Centre in Derby, have confirmed that Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Next are to be anchor tenants for the scheme’s extension.
The three anchors will take nearly 294,000 sq ft in the new extension, whjch will boost the size of the Eagle Centre to 1m sq ft.
Debenhams will increase its presence in the city, trading from a three-level store totalling 127,000 sq ft, which will be The Eagle Centre’s first department store.
M&S will take 81,700 sq ft and Next will take a 47,000 sq ft store.
Debenhams chief executive Rob Templeman said: “This move is consistent with our expansion strategy. Debenhams already has a successful history in Derby and the relocation into the new Eagle Centre will secure our presence within what will undoubtedly become the prime retail area of the city.”
Westfield and Hermes said the pre-lets had boosted interest from a wide spectrum of retailers keen to secure space in the new centre, and that they expected to announce details of further lettings shortly.
Peter Miller, development director at Westfield, said: “The involvement of these key national retailers shows huge confidence in the future of shopping in Derby as all three are expanding their existing offers significantly.”
He added: “The new Eagle Centre will provide a high quality retail environment that will reinforce Derby’s position as one of the principal retail destinations in the East Midlands, and we have already received considerable interest from other high quality retailers keen to take space in the new scheme.”
References: EGi News 07/04/05
