Office to open first out-of-town store

Footwear retailer Office has announced that it is to open its first out-of-town store at Glasgow Fort retailer park in Scotland.Office, which has more than 120 outlets in the UK, a mixture of standalone stores and concession, has until now only had

in town centres and shopping centres, Glasgow Fort will be the retailer’s first out-of-town development.
 
Due to open in spring 2013, Office had agreed a lease of a 2,800 square foot retail space for a 10-year term, and will be situated amongst other footwear retailers such as Clarks and Moda in Pelle, as well as fashion retailers including Dorothy Perkins, H&M, Bank Fashion, Oasis and New Look.
 
Kristi Eames, Commercial Director at Office, said: “The current tenant mix, easy access and customer demographics have all been contributing factors to our decision to open our first store in a shopping park at Glasgow Fort.”
 
Glasgow Fort, owned by specialist retail warehouse fund the Hercules Unit Trust, has been a popular development for brands choosing the location for their first out-of-town stores. Last year menswear fashion retailer Jack & Jones opened a 2,300 square foot space and this week jeweller Chisholm Hunter also announced that it would be making their out-of-town debut with an 825 square foot shop.
 
Dan Clark, Senior Asset Manager for British Land (advisors to Hercules Unit Trust) said: “Office and Chisholm Hunter are great additions to the existing line up of retailers at Glasgow Fort. Their decision to locate their first out of town stores here is testament to the quality of the park and our ability to deliver the right space for our retailers, whilst also creating an environment where consumers want to shop."
 
The deals also follow the recent announcement that the 9 million Pound, 45,000 square foot leisure extension due to open at the park next summer has been fully pre-let to Vue cinema, TGI Friday, Prezzo, Harvester, Chiquito and PizzaExpress.