Three new retailers are on their way to the Metrocentre following the redevelopment of the former Toys R Us store.
The demolition of the former toy shop on the Metro Retail Park was completed last November, and construction is progressing well on a new building set to house three new stores by the end of the year.
Now a trio of furniture stores are set to open at the plot, after 10-year leases were signed with Natuzzi, which specialises in Italian luxury and contemporary furniture and has taken the largest, 10,000 sq ft unit; Dreams, the bed and mattress company; and NCF Living which specialises in sofas, dining and beds.
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Tom Nuttall of Sovereign Centros said that, despite various lockdowns between 2020 and 2021, the retail warehouse market continued to flourish throughout the pandemic, paving the way for the 25,000 sq ft of space that will soon be welcoming shoppers.
Mr Nuttall, leasing and asset manager for the Metrocentre, said: “The demolition of the former Toys R Us store to make way for a newly designed, contemporary terrace is a significant moment in our strategy as we continue to establish the shopping centre and retail park as the leading shopping destination for the North East. The arrival of three new leading furniture brands clearly demonstrates that the Retail Park is the ‘go to’ furniture location.”
The development will also increase cycle bay provision together with the installation of 12 new 350kW fast electric vehicle chargers on site. All 12 will be installed by Ionity and will continue to build on Metrocentre’s environmental initiative to undertake business activities responsibly and to help to protect the environment by preventing pollution.
The Metrocentre Partnership was advised by Sovereign Centros, asset and development manager alongside leasing agents XPROP and Font Real Estate.
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