US shoe retailer Wolverine is to open a new store in Bath.
The company has signed a 10-year lease with the landlord, Conegate, on the former Next shop at 16/17 Union Street.
It will pay £310,000 pa for the 1,800 sq ft shop, which has been fitted out with two separate fascias – Hush Puppies and Sebago.
Sebago, which has its accent on New England nautical wear, has also opened a store in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
The Bath deal follows the letting of the former Currys premises on Union Street to Banana Republic at a headline rent of £285,000 pa.
Mike McElhinney, retail partner at King Sturge in Bath, which advised Conegate, said: “This is a clear vote of confidence for the northern end of Bath, which many thought would be threatened by the opening of the new Aviva/Multi SouthGate scheme at the southern end of the city. But it is now apparent that the younger-profile line-up in that development has had minimal impact on the quality area of the city. It has, in fact, been greatly strengthened by the overall improved retail offer that SouthGate has delivered.”
Harper Dennis Hobbs advised Wolverine.
annabel.dixon@estatesgazette.com
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