River Island will take 12,000 sq ft at the award-winning 300,000 sq ft centre on a 15 year lease, vacating the Kyle Centre in Ayr to take up home in Ayr Central
The retailer will take 6,000 sq ft on the ground floor plus a further 6,000 sq ft on a mezzanine level. River Island is set to start fitting out its unit in two weeks' time.
Alan Kinloch, Regional Development Director from Henry Boot Developments, said: “It’s taken over two years to secure River Island but I am delighted to have concluded legals last week. There’s no doubt that River Island is a premium retail brand which further strengthens our line up in Ayr Central. Certainly landing River Island is a great start to the year and signals that Ayr Central is now viewed by retailers as the prime development in South Scotland.”
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David Simmons from Jones Lang LaSalle’s Glasgow office said: “River Island is one of the most exciting high street fashion brands and this letting will further strengthen Ayr Central's appeal to shoppers.”
In addition to existing stores Debenhams, Primark, H&M, HMV, Au Natural and Next, shoe store Clarks is set to sign up for the centre over the next few weeks.
Ayr Central currently attracts 104 per cent of the immediate catchment area every week, with this figure growing at 6 per cent per week. In addition Ayr Central has helped Ayr rise from 16th to fifth strongest retail destination in Scotland above Braehead, Glasgow Fort, Perth, Falkirk and East Kilbride.
Henry Boot Developments acquired the Ayr site in 2001 and construction commenced on Ayr Central in January 2004. Henry Boot Developments fund the majority of its developments using internal resources and currently has £300 million allocated for 2007/2008. Henry Boot Developments opened a Scottish office in early 2001 and Ayr Central is part of the company’s planned programme of development activity north of the border.
(CD)
