Big names sign up for Hanley's City Sentral shopping centre
MAJOR retailers and restaurant chains including H&M and Nando's have signed up for the city's new £350 million shopping centre.
And developer Realis is expecting more high-profile names to open an outlet in City Sentral.
Floor plans reveal Next, Marks & Spencer, JD and H&M have all agreed terms to move in to the complex, which is due to open in 2015.
Discussions are also ongoing with Topshop, Superdry, TK Maxx and Sports Direct.
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Restaurant chains Nando's, Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito and Pizza Express are set to open in the leisure area, which will also include a Vue cinema.
The proposals went on show at the BCSC (British Council of Shopping Centres) Conference and Exhibition in Liverpool yesterday.
Duncan Mathieson, Realis managing director, said: "We all know about the economy and the market that we are in at the present time but we are delighted with the way the scheme is progressing. Stoke-on-Trent needs something like this.
"The lineup we have so far is very impressive and we have been working hard negotiating with firms over the last 12 months."
The firms included on Realis's floor plans are currently under no legal obligation to commit to the project but the developer remains confident none of the chains will walk away.
Mr Mathieson, below, said: "We don't believe they will and that's why their names have gone on to the plan.
"Ahead of the legal commitment stage they want to know that we are on time with the development and that we have fulfilled what we promised."
Realis has been keen to sign up retailers to the larger stores before unveiling the companies in-line for the smaller units.
Mr Mathieson added: "We will be talking to a wide range of companies. We already have some big names and you find that when one signs up another will follow.
"Stoke-on-Trent offers a huge catchment area to retailers as there is no nearby competing city.
"Firms want to be a part of this scheme."
Councillor Mark Meredith, Stoke-on-Trent City Council's cabinet member for economic development, said: "It's good to see discussions are ongoing with some top quality brands. It has always been our aspiration to attract new brands to invest in our city.
"These new stores combined with the restaurants expected to locate in the City Sentral complex will make our city a much more inviting place for people of all ages."
But retailers with stores elsewhere in the city centre look likely to shut those branches in favour of moving into City Sentral, which would leave units vacant in both the Potteries Shopping Centre and the main shopping streets.
Doug Wardle, spokesman for the traders' group the City Centre Partnership, said: "A lot can happen in the three years before City Sentral is due to open and I would call on Stoke-on-Trent City Council to consider the properties that may become vacant and look at marketing them."
The complex – which will be built on the site of the old bus station – will include 80 shops, an 80-bedroom hotel, a cinema and 1,000 parking spaces.
Shopper Lisa Bourne, aged 28, of Fenton, said: "I think that the city does need a revamp and we do lack a certain amount of shops and restaurants.
"I'd like more decent clothes shops and I am pleased that H&M are coming as we don't have one of those.
"It'll be nice to have more in the city centre and hopefully it will help revitalise the whole area."
A number of firms detailed on Realis's plans failed to respond to The Sentinel's request for information on their proposed moves.
Topshop declined to comment after claiming staff were too busy preparing for London Fashion Week, while restaurant chain Chiquito confirmed negotiations were ongoing.
Comments
by ripleydad
Thursday, September 13 2012, 5:09PM
“this city needs this about as much as a prostitute needs a colostomy bag fitting”
by SCFC4EVA
Thursday, September 13 2012, 3:14PM
“since no one around Stoke seems to have any money, who exactly is going to be shopping in these new places ??”
by DaveD1960
Thursday, September 13 2012, 3:13PM
“So when this place is built the rest of Hanley will be full of charity shops more than their is now”
by Notanumber
Thursday, September 13 2012, 1:25PM
“It says a lot when a while back Waitrose said they didn't want to open a store in S-o-T because it isn't aspirational enough. When you are on your knees then surely the first aspiration is to get back on your feet? The current state of this area is on its' back so the next step surely is it get up onto its' knees!
I am convinced that the council is totally blinkered to this situation in their belief that a brand new shopping centre will be the saviour of the city. When people have jobs, jobs that allow them to spend a little extra cash, then and only then would they need plush new shops.
If you fail to comprehend that the old adage cart before the horse applies here then you shouldn't be doing what you are doing so badly.”
by I_Norris
Thursday, September 13 2012, 1:14PM
“Thank you cityboy.
Just as i always expected the city will have derelict bus station converted into a car park for many years to come and Reals will never pay the council for the £14m bus station”
by cityboy
Thursday, September 13 2012, 12:53PM
“Realis need to have firm commitments to fill over 50% of floor space before they will proceed with the plan.Companies such as John Lewis,Selfridges.House of Fraser ect. have no interest in locating to Stoke on Trent so the best they can get is M&S.I do not believe a devolpment of this size is sustainable in our city due to economic climate,out of town retail (Pheonix park Longton/Fenton fully let) and internet shopping. I think it very unlikely the plan will go ahead in the present form or present size.
I am a current tenant of Realis and have had virtually no communication with them about the plan even though it will mean the end of my business.I do not believe they have any intention of starting the project in the near future or possibly the forseeable future, so a 2015 completion date is pie in the sky.”
by Iffyminty
Thursday, September 13 2012, 12:34PM
“I'm sure it will all be lovely and we will all shop there :-)”
by truestokie
Thursday, September 13 2012, 12:07PM
“Labour Len, again you jumped in (as usual) with both feet before reading my comment.
I stated that (now concentrate)"and I hope I'm proved wrong".
As for my following comments well there you go, Labours record in this city speaks for itself.
That is why the City is rated one of the most deprived areas in the country.
That is why we have had police investigations by the bucket load.
Westcliffe Hospital
Labour Councillors ( Wazzir, Khan) in front of the standards boards.
(Still can't figure why Meredith got off misleading the full council though)
That is why people are still upset at the secrecy deal over Dimensions.
Quite apart from the DMO.
I will leave out the councillors (Labour included) we have had on the front page of the Sentinel for disgusting things .
The list is endless.
Come on Labour Len come out from behind your mask.”
by mole10
Thursday, September 13 2012, 11:58AM
“LabourLenny.
Name one thing this Labour Council (apart from closure of vital services) has announced it will do and then actually do it.
You are running a Conservative agenda designed by a fizzy pop business Director and you bamboozle no-one with a fancy title of 'mandate for change' by calling it a Labour agenda.
It's not, it's a Conservative agenda designed by a Conservative and Conservatives close things down as a solution to Social problems they have created.
When push comes to shove and solutions do not materialise, you throw someone elses money at it in the hope that we will all live happily ever after.
1000s of jobs everywhere and a BIG name new shopping centre.
Yeah yeah yeah.
This happens in every Labour authority everywhere come rain or shine, boom or bust.
Not in this one.
Why?”
by GilbertL
Thursday, September 13 2012, 11:52AM
“Smoke and mirrors Labour Len. You say yourself "this development will improve our city to some degree" and the council/PR/spin want people to believe that the new CBD and shopping area (supported wholely by our city council and a handful of existing retailers) will regenerate Stoke-on-Trent massively. I think you're living in a dream world Len. Nobody has a crystal ball, nobody knows for sure just what will happen if the plans go ahead. All I know is that residents put their faith in the council, councillors and local MP's and what do the residents get in return? Not much.
Most residents probably don't notice what is happening in Stoke-on-Trent. For years I didn't. I went about my business blindly accepting that Stoke-on-Trent was what it was. Manufacturing has all but gone, the pottery industries are clinging on as best they can, call centres and customer service providers now becoming the life blood of the city, and the council think they can make this city into something different by chucking a load of borrowed money at a handful of schemes that have no concrete evidence or projections of success and revenue?
Crack on Labour. You've never had my vote and pretty soon, you won't have my council tax either.”