brandon shopping centre
Press Release - 24th February 2009
Wilkinson Chooses Motherwell for First Store in Scotland's Central Belt
In a massive vote of confidence for Motherwell, one of the UK's largest multiple retailers has chosen the town for the site of its first store in Scotland's Central Belt.
Wilkinson Hardware Stores is moving into 42/48 Brandon Parade, the former Scot-Mid Co-op store, and the largest available unit in the Brandon Shopping Centre.
Wilkinson is one of the UK's fastest growing high street retailers and already has more than 320 stores across England and Wales.
"This is a very substantial letting and a tremendous boost for Motherwell and for the Brandon Shopping Centre. Wilkinson's commitment to the centre reinforces the justification behind CALA Properties' significant expenditure in the town, and is a major part of our plans to improve the shopping experience in the town for local shoppers and traders alike,"said Alasdair MacConnell, managing director of CALA Properties.
"Motherwell has a very loyal shopper population, from its 130,000 people catchment, which through the programme of improvements in the Brandon Shopping Centre is growing, pulling in people from surrounding centres. With footfall up by 12% year on year, the centre is really bucking current trends," said Andy Bain of joint agents Eric Young and Co.
Wilkinson's Local marketing manager Dave Jones said: "This is a really exciting development for Wilkinson, and after the warm welcome we received in Castle Douglas, expectations are high for our Motherwell store."
Wilkinson's move to Motherwell comes on the back of CALA Properties' plans for a redevelopment and regeneration programme for Brandon Shopping Centre. The first phase of the programme will be the development of the former Asda store in the centre, to provide up to 74,000 sq ft of modern retail space, with new frontages to the mall and car park.
CALA Properties has already invested in improving the Brandon Shopping Centre and the shopping experience for the people of Motherwell. Since acquiring the centre it has developed new branding and a new logo; launched a marketing campaign to attract new tenants and new shoppers; developed a new website and newsletter; established a tenant's forum; and appointed the centre's first full time manager.
The new Wilkinsons store is expected to start trading during the Summer of 2009.
For further information, please contact:
Jonathan Reay
Reay Public Relations
Tel 0788 44 33475
jonathan@reaypr.co.uk