Future of Burnley shopping centre secured as retail giants WHSmith and River Island sign up

3:00pm Wednesday 14th November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Kate Jackson, Reporter

Artist's impressions of how the Charter Walk shopping centre will look Artist's impressions of how the Charter Walk shopping centre will look

THE FUTURE of Burnley’s main shopping centre has been secured after a number of high street giants signed renewal leases.

Fashion store River Island and WH Smith’s are among the retailers which have announced they will stay at the site for the next ten years.

River Island is to take on one of the new units in the Market Square area, which are being increased in size as part of the redevelopment of that area of the centre.

Coun Julie Cooper, leader of Burnley Council, said: “This is really excellent news and will strengthen our shopping offer.

“We are working hard to increase footfall in the town centre in these difficult trading conditions and the best way to do that is to get more and better shops.”

WH Smith have agreed to relocate from their existing Market Square unit to a new place at The Mall.

Joint letting agent, Patrick Keenan, said: “The recent signings demonstrate the renewed and growing confidence retailers have in Charter Walk and Burnley.

“The signing of River Island for a new unit within the proposed redevelopment of Market Square as well as the signing of NEXT demonstrates the positive direction Charter Walk is moving towards, with retailers keen to be part of this.”

The new NEXT store, which will be 20,000 sq ft, is set to open in the first week of December.

Steve Rumbelow, chief executive of Burnley Council, said: “We have a great working relationship with Addington Capital who have worked really hard to develop the town centre.

“Together we will continue to drive an improved shopping offer.”

Comments(12)

Davelyn says...
4:14pm Wed 14 Nov 12

OXFAM & AGE CONCERN ARE ALSO STAYING.

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Heretical says...
5:43pm Wed 14 Nov 12

Oxfam went several years age due to lease and cost issues.
The property has been re- leased a couple of times but stood empty for ages.....in line with many other properties.

People may knock the pound shops and the charity shops but they do do business and it's better than empty shops just left to rot.

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Sajdin says...
6:16pm Wed 14 Nov 12

They may have signed a contract, but nothing stops them going into administration and closing ! The comet sittuation was unexpected for me, so you never know !

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Kevin, Colne says...
6:29pm Wed 14 Nov 12

This is good news and very welcome. It really is nice to be able to read a positive story about the centre of the town. Burnley has problems by the bucket-load but there are a lot of organisations and individuals working really hard with the best interests of the town at heart.

Without doubt the power relationship between the landlord - owner of the shopping centre - and the tenant - the retailers - is one where the latter hold all the aces.

I would hazard a guess that W H Smith and River Island have got a terrific deal.

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blylad says...
7:26pm Wed 14 Nov 12

River Island don't need to be offered a deal to expand, they wouldn't expand if they weren't making money in Burnley. For a town of Burnleys size in such close proximity to other larger towns and cities I'd say that Burnley town centre is doing really well. We have the best M&S store in the area aswell as many stores like Next, River Island, Topshop, JD and Accessorize and soon many more big name stores. I personally think it's great news.

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blylad says...
9:07pm Wed 14 Nov 12

Every town doesn't have these stores just the ones you are using as comparison. How dim you are.

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blylad says...
9:09pm Wed 14 Nov 12

Where is Accessorize in Blackburn, or Internacionsle, or Evans, or Cex etc.....

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Chico! says...
9:16pm Wed 14 Nov 12

blylad wrote:
Where is Accessorize in Blackburn, or Internacionsle, or Evans, or Cex etc.....
That's too funny for words.

Well done!

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berniep says...
9:23am Thu 15 Nov 12

If the council stopped being so greedy maybe Burnley would attract big retailers into the town. Rent,s business rates & parking costs in town are sky high.
Burnley market was a renowned market that folk used to travel for miles to visit, it;s more like a jumble/car boot sale these days.

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mudshark says...
10:08am Thu 15 Nov 12

pound shops staying put

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sueysuey1 says...
9:20pm Thu 15 Nov 12

Is 3 shops relocating a few doors down cause for the self congratulations? Is the good news the fact that they are not bailing out or have I missed the point and really new jobs and new money will be coming in to the town? Go in to town during the week it's full of extras from the night of the living dead just hanging around.

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Mister Red says...
11:36pm Fri 16 Nov 12

blylad wrote:
Where is Accessorize in Blackburn, or Internacionsle, or Evans, or Cex etc.....
Evans is inside British Home Stores building in Blackburn.

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