Bargate Shopping Centre - Retail - Southampton, Bargate Shopping Centre

Date: 20 Apr 1998

Kinky is cool and rubber is hot as shoppers at the Bargate centre are finding out.

PVC, leather and rubber clubwear retailer Gosh is the latest trader to join the line up at Bargate, the 9,290 sq m (100,000 sq ft) youth culture shopping and leisure mall in Southampton.

The 32 sq m (350 sq ft) store, located on the centre's Middle Level, stocks about 300 lines of clothing and footwear aimed primarily at the club and fetish/bondage markets. Gosh is paying an average rent of £8,500 per annum for the five-year lease.

"About 50-60% our stock is aimed at the club market," says Gosh director Brian Marshall. "Another 25% is aimed at the fetish & bondage shopper and we think our gothic-look clothing lines will account for the balance of business as there has been a growing interest in that sector of late."

Marshall, who also owns the Footwork Shoe Company which trades in Bargate, says that while Gosh is in a niche market, there has been a growing market for clubwear and there is always a market for fetish and bondage gear. He believes particular lines will do quite well.

"Judging by early reaction it appears that our PVC boa housecoats will be popular as will our PVC dresses topped with black lace," he says.

As for his most unusual item -- well he's still trying to figure part of it out.

"We stock a bondage belt," he says. "it comes with handcuffs, a mouth-gag, whip, mask, blindfold and a little pouch containing three chrome hoops. I can't quite work out the last bit, but I'm sure one of my customers will be able to enlighten me."

Marshall says that Southampton is growing in reputation as a bastion for clubbing, youth trends and fashions. He says that, by catering to the youth market needs, the Bargate centre is reaping the benefits.

"Our lines will be of interest to customers of all ages, but we see our primary targets as the teenage and club market," he says. "There is nothing really like this store outside of London."

Bargate, which opened in 1989, was purchased by EPIC Holdings Ltd in 1995. Since then, EPIC has re-branded centre as a vibrant and cutting-edge retail and entertainment location. It is anchored by a 790 sq m (8,500 sq ft) Sega Park family entertainment centre and features youth fashion and clubwear stores such as Moist, Footwork Shoe Co, Taboo Clothing and Just Add Water. Southampton Football Club's popular "Saint" shop is also located within the scheme.

Other new tenants include the independent men's fashion retailer, Pucker Ltd (trading as Macduff),on the upper level next door to another recent arrival, furniture and gifts retailer Benchmark.

Michael Elghanayan of EPIC Holdings comments:
"Southampton is rapidly growing in reputation as the place to be if you want to have fun. Bargate is capitalising on this by attracting youth-oriented retailers who have something diverse to offer. Gosh fits into our tenant mix and is sure to generate a lot of interest."

Letting agents for Bargate are Carter Wassell Murdoch (0171 493 5655) PalmerFry (01703 227 337) and Shelley Sandzer & Co (0171 580 3366).

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