Kingsgate - Retail Letting - Huddersfield, Kingsgate Centre

Date: 24 Jul 2002

Seven new retailers have taken units at the new Kingsgate Centre in Huddersfield.

Clinton Cards, Capo, Catwalk, Quiz, Big Picture, Newspoint and Kasper’s have all agreed new lettings in the centre which is located in the heart of Huddersfield.

Kingsgate, which opened in March, is already propelling the town back to its rightful place as a key destination for shoppers in and around the region. The 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft) centre, complete with integral 640-space car park, is anchored by a 7,896 sq m (85,000 sq ft) Beatties Department Store. Kingsgate is one of only a handful of major new shopping centres opening in the UK this year.

The new arrivals join a host of well-known retailers including Next, Gap, TK Maxx, JJB Sports, Miss Selfridge, Dixons and Wallis. The tenant line-up also includes Electronics Boutique, The Link, Allsports, Bank Fashions, Card Crazy, Officers Club, Greggs, New Look, Etam, Music Zone, Pilot, Fragrance Shop and Baggage Place among others. In addition, a Madisons Mall Café located in the atrium space in front of Beatties offers hungry and thirsty shoppers a wide range of meals and beverages.

Comments Peter Everest, Managing Director of Kingsgate developers WD (Huddersfield) Ltd:

“The Kingsgate centre has already had a significant impact on the trading patterns in Huddersfield. Most importantly it has helped the town to retain a significant amount of retail spend that had previously been ‘leaking’ to other nearby towns. Kingsgate has effectively put Huddersfield back at the forefront of towns in terms of both quality and range of retail offer and the centre has proved popular with tenants who want large, modern and easily serviceable units.”

Clinton Cards has taken a new 10-year lease on Unit 10, a 297 sq m (3,200 sq ft) unit with a 92 sq m (1,000 sq ft) mezzanine in a unit located adjacent to Allsports. Clinton Cards is paying a rent rising to £120,000 per annum.

Upmarket fashion retailer Capo has taken a 15-year lease on the 147 sq m (1,579 sq ft) Unit 3 which also has a mezzanine of 37.2 sq m (400 sq ft). The rent for the unit, which is located adjacent to Electronics Boutique, is £80,000 per annum.

Quiz, the ladieswear fashion retailer, has taken a 15-year lease on Unit 8. The 143 sq m (1,539 sq ft) unit also has mezzanine space of 44 sq m
(470 sq ft). Quiz is paying a rent of £75,000 per annum.

Catwalk, run by brothers Roger & Paul Pathak, is taking a new 10-year lease on Unit 6 between Officers Club and Savers. The ladies fashion and shoe shop is paying £85,000 per annum for the 186.8 sq m (2,011 sq ft) unit which also has a 82.7 sq m (891 sq ft) mezzanine.

Another rising star in the retail sector is branded menswear retailer Kasper’s, which has taken Unit 37, a 134.1 sq m (1,444 sq ft) unit, on a
15-year lease. Kasper’s is paying £80,000 per annum for the unit which is adjacent to Music Zone.

Limited print and original art retailer Big Picture has taken a 139 sq m (1,500 sq ft) unit with a 46.45 sq m (500 sq m) mezzanine at a rent of £70,000 a year. The gallery is situated adjacent to Pilot and opposite Beatties.

Finally, Newspoint has taken a 15-year lease on Unit 33 next door to JJB Sports. The rent for the 4.4 sq m (107 sq ft) unit is at a rent of £17,000 per annum.

Joint letting agents for Kingsgate are Brian Oakwell & Company (020 7287 5066), King Sturge (0113 244 1441) and Antill Consulting (01666 510122).

Clinton Cards was represented by Brasier Harris (01923 210810). Capo was represented by Wright Silverwood (Birmingham) (0121 454 4004). Hammond Phillips (020 7309 2375) acted on behalf of Quiz. Kasper’s, Catwalk, Newspoint and Big Picture all represented themselves.

Comments Brian Oakwell of Brian Oakwell & Company:

“Kingsgate is one of the few shopping centres opening in the UK during 2002 and it has put the retailing heart back into Huddersfield. Zone As in the town have uplifted from about £90 at the start of letting to £110 now as retailers realise the strength of the centre and its impact on the town and its catchment.”

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