The transformation of intu Watford is moving forward with several top names signing new leases including Jack & Jones, Tiger and Timberland. At the same time, the redevelopment of Charter Place has begun, marking the start of work on-site to create the much-anticipated extension to the existing prime shopping centre.
When complete, the enlarged intu Watford will be a vibrant, 1.4 million ft² (130,000m²) retail and leisure destination, boosting Watford’s position into the top 20 of the CACI retail ranking confirming it as a premium London destination. intu, the owner, developer and manager of many of the UK’s favourite shopping centres, is refurbishing the malls in the existing centre as well as redeveloping Charter Place.
The centre is anchored by John Lewis and Marks & Spencer along with Apple, Topshop, Zara, Next, H&M, Karen Millen and Primark. Recognising the portential for the centre, further names have signed up this year including Kurt Geiger, Thomas Sabo and New Look.
Appealing to a prosperous catchment from across North London and Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, the centre has more than 15 million customer visits each year. Of those customers, 83% are ABC1 and 70% are classified within the three most affluent ACORN categories.
Rebecca Ryman, regional director of intu, said: “We are working hard to create an outstanding retail and leisure destination for Watford. There’s already a strong tenant mix in the existing centre with great shops and restaurants. We’re continuing to look to the future, bringing in new retailers, working on transforming Charter Place, and ensuring we deliver compelling experiences for all our customers. The potential for the shopping centre and the town is considerable.”
