Hartnell Taylor Cook - Retail Letting - Cardiff, Queens Arcade Secures Two Further New Fashion Stores

Date: 03 Oct 2006

The re-emergence of Queens Arcade as a leading fashion destination in Cardiff has been strengthened once again following the announcement of two new lettings to quality fashion retailers Animal and Hudson + Hudson. These lettings come hot on the heels of four lettings completed earlier this year to New Look, Footlocker, HPJ Jewellers and the Post Office.

Animal, who already have 28 stores in the UK, as well as stores worldwide, will have two adjacent stores dedicated to the male and female brands and will sell their trade brand watches and their design led sports clothing. Hudson + Hudson are renowned for being a leading high quality on-line fashion retailer and have had a store in Cardiff since its opening 25 years ago. The store has moved to increase its profile.

Animal will be moving into units 25/26 on a new 10 year lease at a commencing rental of £180,000 per annum plus turnover. The store will provide a ground floor sales area totalling 2,774 sq ft plus an ancillary store area of 711 sq ft.

Meanwhile Hudson + Hudson have taken Unit 23 on a new 10 year lease at a rental of £125,000 per annum. The store provides a ground floor area of 1,685 sq ft and ancillary accommodation totalling 430 sq ft. Owner Graeme Hudson added "having weighed up the future direction of retail in the city we felt Queens Arcade provided an ideal location to take advantage of the new St David's 2 Extension and we are delighted with our relocation".

Queens Arcade owners, Sapphire Retail Fund, has invested substantially over the last two years to improve the centre and through active asset management, have managed to attract high profile fashion retailers to the Arcade to create a fashion-based centre attractive to all types and ages of shoppers. Other retailers in the shopping centre include Gap, Next, Argos and Faith.

Hartnell Taylor Cook LLP and King Sturge advised the landlords, Sapphire Retail Fund on the centre's marketing. Larkman Edgcumbe advised Tony Pryce Sports t/a Animal and I Metcalfe & Co advised Hudson + Hudson.

Queens Arcade, Cardiff