[BigLebowski]

Eldon Square South - St Andrew's Way

Here are a list of stores in the new extension, due to open Jan/Feb 2010:

Confirmed as let:
Debenhams
New Look
Top Shop
Apple
Tesco Metro
River Island
Dorothy Perkins
Poundland
Paperchase
Miss Selfridge
Burton
Republic
Schuh
Superdry
Hollister
Laus Buffet

Still under negotiation:
All Saints
Guess
Oasis

EDIT: To someone who has actually dragged themselves into this century, feel free to add some images!

 

[BigLebowski]

I am over the moon about Apple though. For me personally we need a Urban Outfitters in the city centre, and of course a Zara. I am intrigued as to who the large double unit in St Andrews new mall will be- it says In Negotiations but there has been no hint as to who it will be.
Big Lebowski- who do you reckon- looking at the size of the unit- who could be looking at it?

Well given the nature of those signed up (all but 2 are fashion outlets, though arguably that label could apply equally to Apple!) i think clothing retail is most likely - the likes of UO, Blue inc and Mango have all been expanding as have Zara - now Zara cited the lack of display space as the reason for their exit from Northumberland Street and this unit is considerable larger so that door isnt shut.

Course it could just be a relocation of Reiss or Envy, who will be looking very lonely when Market Street empties next year....

 

[BigLebowski]

I'm just woundering why Mothercare don't have a store in Newcastle, nor do the ELC. I know Mothercare used to (not sure where though), I'm not sure on the ELC though, but again these are shops that are basic citey centre shops that we don't have, and just having them would be great to fill in some gaps.

I mean it's taken us all this time to get a Debenhams, I agree that we should try to get more of the up end chains, and one off stores here, but we also need to get the basic retailers back aswell. ES and Northumberland St are still in the UK's top 10 shopping destinations, and I think Newcastle is either in the top 10 or not far away, but I feel even if we get the basic stores, it could push us up to one of the UK's shopping capitals, which we are in a prime position for.

Mothercare was where there now stands Monsoon/Accessorise. And Debenhams was the original anchor store for Eldon Garden, where now stands the defunct Pier, but it didnt last long due to its poor location and small size/limited offering. ELC have a store in Eldon Square, i was just in there last month getting Lebowski junior some typically noisy (and overpriced) toys...

Newcastle has always hovered 'there or thereabouts' in the top 15 nationally, but has suffered from some pretty high profile withdrawals. Some of these were just ill advised (Who remembers Hamley's and Lillywhites trying their luck up here?) others were just victims of bad location and poor planning (eg most of Market streets recent offering - Jigsaw, Shellys, Karen Millen etc)

Muji have looked at both Newcastle and M/C so they may land in the future.

 

[BigLebowski]

I doubt there's going to be a Habitat anytime soon, there's even the potential that the whole company may be up for sale. That would seem to indicate they aren't making much money.

Its actually owned by the same group which own IKEA and theyve pumped a lot of money into it over the last few years to rid it of its rather unfair image (it suffered for a long time of criticism that it was stuck 'in the eighties'). It hasnt expanded too much of late, several stores have closed and its flagship stores arent pulling in the cash as once they did, but i would be surprised if it went up for sale again...in the current climate its hard to see who would buy it. Apart from Terence Conran who probably feels hes got a point to prove....

Edit: Interesting article, but it seems to have glossed over all the store closures and pulling out of Ireland...best not mention these things if the company is up for sale i guess...and the headline seems to leap to conclucions somewhat!

 

[BigLebowski]

Im glad im not alone in seeing the current incarnation of this thoroughfare as a complete abhorration....seriously, what's the benefit of the current layout? A newsagents, a bagel shop and a kiosk selling watch straps? oh and an impossibly barren alley and a set of almost impassably steep steps to the arse-end of Marks and Spencers. Wonderful!

Though it has driven the Northumberland Arms (literally) underground....thats probably not a bad thing!

 

[BigLebowski]

Yeah, I agree with that statement. Although KFC isn't really something I would be botherd about if it moved out of Newcastle altogether, the same generally applies to McDonalds and Burger King.

Though I'm sure I heard that KFC wanted to keep the Northumberland St store open, but the lease holders thought they could get more from elsewhere.

Can you confirm that Lebowski?

hmm, not something i'd heard about but its not as simple as the landlord simply 'kicking them out'. For a start theyd need permission for change of use, and without that theyd only be kicking them out for another food retailer. I imagine they obtained permission first (I think these units only have A1/A3 so cant be used as an office/financial premises) then signed up a tenant. Or vice versa, most of that stretch is financial so the change in use was probably a formality.

Anyway KFC proliferates in the outskirts as has been said - Cowgate, Killingworth, Byker, Wallsend all boast a branch....every suburb and satellite town now seems to feature some fried chicken dive, maybe KFC are trying to reclaim what they feel is rightfully theirs!

 

[BigLebowski]

zara moved because there was not enough storage.
NBS taking KFC unit.
American retailer moving into new eldon square development (probs americal apparel)
urban outfitters were going to go into Monument Mall, mall managers turned down opportunity.
jamie olivers restaurant chain were to go into old eldon square, but has been put on hold.
hood street will not get boss, ralph or d&g. we dont have footfall or retailer requirements.
tommi hilfiger, armani exchange, new era (caps), bose looking for space.
footlocker relocating off northumberland street, probs into eldon square opposite USC.

Now thats interesting because i had heard it was the other way round, with MM hawking their wares around and getting the mighty brush off from most, and a 'we'll call you back' from the rest...

That reason from Zara (lack of floorspace) was very much their party line, when it was more like a simple cost vs takings imbalance. If their reason were true, they wouldve opened up in Eldon Square immediately afterwards in what is now Monsoon or Blacks, both of which had leases available but they passed on the opportunity.

The Jamie Oliver restaurant is a new one on me, i know both Las Iguanas and Pizza Express in ES have stalled, though that doesnt mean it wont happen.

 

[BigLebowski]

But probably another vacant unit in the Grainger Street area...

Im afraid theres no 'probably' about it...another slap in the face for those who bollocksed-up this potentially fantastic project.

 

[BigLebowski]

The first issue is:

ISSUE

1 - We need to bring 'whole buildings' (IE, shop ground floor level AND the upper floors) into use in Graingertown.

QUESTION

1 - What "solution" or "what could the City Council consider doing", regarding this single issue?

Theyve tried NH, with the ill-fated PNE...it didnt work because those involved had no idea about the absolute basics of planning and retail management. I'll give you an example, i was personally involved in the business plan and investment of a pavement cafe, to be situated in Graingertown in (approx) 1999/2000. The genius at PNE charged with finding us a property obtained a 1st floor premise on High Bridge and wouldnt negotiate (on the funding). Thats a PAVEMENT cafe on the FIRST floor. Their reckoning was that the upper floors were filled, with whatever - they had no quality filter or overall plan at all - and the ground floor would fill with national chains. Like for example, oh totally at random, Coast, Jigsaw Menswear, Karen Millen, Shellys, Kookai, Whittards and Nokia. Well done guys, that really worked a treat...

If i was being pragmatic rather than idealistic, i would suggest student housing for the lot because quite frankly, everything else failed. The imbeciles in charge in the 90s were given this gift of an opportunity, beautiful buildings, pots of funding, public and private support....and they pissed it right up the wall with a litany of wrong decisions. And as Graingertown empties and starts to fall apart, we should never let them off the hook.

 

[BigLebowski]

The FOURTH 'ISSUE' ( that we identified) is:

ISSUE

4 - Should "Monument to TJ Hughes" specialise in something else? If so . . what?

Which appears to 'link in' with upcoming 'Issue 5' . . . as "specialising in something else" (other than suggestions in 'Issue 3 above') might well require the removal of TJ Hughes . . . so I will LUMP Issues 4 and 5 in together.

ISSUE 5 IS . . .
5 - Get rid of TJ Hughes. (I am not sure if that is a practicable suggestion, albeit desirable)



So, The next MERGED question/issue therefore now reads . .

ISSUES 4 & 5 . .

4 & 5 - Should "Monument to TJ Hughes" specialise in something else? If so . . what should it specialise in, and can we get rid of TJ Hughes. (I am not sure if that is a practicable suggestion) to help achieve this?

QUESTION

4 & 5 - What "solution" or "what could the City Council consider doing", regarding this merged issue?

I think theres certainly demand for a limited high-end offering from monument down Grainger street, but we have to be realistic. Market Street hasnt worked - it was poorly planned, there was no attempt to cluster beyond a row of 3 or 4 premises, and quality control was dropped immediately. The councils powers in this respect are pretty limited, and as much as we'd like to 'shoo' TJ Hughes into Clayton street, no-one can realistically force them to except the landlord. And why would they, what do they care about improving the offer of a patch which is by all accounts, raking it in.

I think the organic growth of boutiques/delis etc in the side streets is the most likely outcome over the next few years, and if youre still stuck with the likes of Vivienne Westwood next to Coral bookies, so be it. What this area has shown us is that you cant force your vision on a large and diverse span of landowners, each with their own agenda. If the council want a cluster of high end retail, it'll more than likely have to start from scratch and the only candidate i can think of is EPS. But if this is happening organically (see also Stowell Street and its environs) then it may be a case of just watching and waiting for the economy to pick up.

 

[BigLebowski]

Unfortunately Chris i think thats as good as its going to get.....we may well be looking at the finished article in that photo!

 

[BigLebowski]

From what I have heard the 3 units facing the gate- are all food- there was talk of Pizza Express taking one and Las Iguana taking another- however they seem to have fallen through. Definitely is a Lau's chinese buffet- of which we have one already in china town. Laus are also opening a sushi bar next door to Cafe Nero. . The units on Clayton street are just what you have said so far- Tesco and Poundland- the two little kiosks or the last remaining unit is not taken as far as I know.

Yes the building looks very sterile- but lets not put this in the same league as Liverpool One or Bristol- this is simply an improvement of what was already there- they knocked down a mall and replaced it with something that is better than what was there. On the other hand if they had built something like that on East Pilgrim Street I would have been really pissed off.

Yep pretty much bang on there Jon, the deals havent 'fallen through' as such but interest has cooled shall we say. Las Iguanas remain very interested, Pizza Express have been considering their options (with 3 branches already in the city they dont want to be over exposed) and Laus have signed up but it remains to be seen what this will be (cheap and cheerful Chinese buffet almost certainly!)

Other interested parties were/are 'Spurs' (steakhouse, big in South Africa) and Cafe Rouge. La Tasca were desperate to get in the Gate and considered ES South, but went to Grey Street instead.

Interestingly, the units still technically have A1 consent, so may be retail after all. I doubt it though as the A3 will be a lot more profitable on that stretch.

Also the talk of re-tooling the soon-to-be-vacant Top Shop unit into a new entrance facing Gallowgate has been discussed extensively. Dont be surprised if that is next on the CSC agenda for ES (in its current layout it is practically un-lettable).

Anyway welcome to the forum Fazaz...and thanks for the 'big up' Chris! As you say, anything that appears here tends to hit the press a few weeks or months later....God bless internet anonymity, ive revealed stuff on here that would easily have got me the sack in the real world!!

 

[BigLebowski]

Well come on and spill the beans a bit more- has urban outfitters found a unit in the city, is peacocks taking the Zavvi site and who the hell is the double unit in Eldon Square that is 'under negotiations'!!!!

Bloody hell! I only work for one commercial letting agency..i don't work for all of them! I can only spill the beans i have :lol:

 

[BigLebowski]

I'd like to see an equivalent of Glasgow's Princess Square or Manchester's Triangle (obviously on a smaller scale). A few high end stores in a cluster is whats been missing from the city centre, and it doesnt neccessarily have to be high-end to the point of exclusivity (im thinking the likes of Muji or Molton Brown rather than Louis Vuitton and Mont Blanc). However it would need to be regulated - theres no point having the Newcastle branch of Heals flanked by Phones4U and Going Places, because as we've seen, that doesnt work *narrows eyes at Graingertown*

 

[BigLebowski]

so so so true, and for what it is horribly overpriced bland American crap, however for some reason they seem to be quite popular, they are opening a huge store here in Paris in 2011, god help us. For a little bit more you can buy a really great quality piece of design from Prada sport or Hugo Boss.

Hollister and A+F are the same company right? Ive no strong feelings about either but i think they'll be a welcome addition to the city and at least a bit of variety. Bizarrely I actually have a Hollister t-shirt tucked away somewhere (a spectacularly misjudged gift, im really not their target demographic. Also it's tight to the point of obscene)

Im still trying to get confirmation of whether Urban Outfitters are in ES yet, as well as a potential tenant for the soon-to-be-vacant Sony Centre on Percy Street As usual any news will be posted on here first....

 

[BigLebowski]

are sony relocating elsewhere in the city centre?

Yip, moving into what was The Pier, should be open early next year. (hey, that rhymes!)

Chris, regarding UO i'm not sure cos i dont know who's handling it (basically cos i dont know where theyre going!) but i'll keep asking around. Theres only a few options though and if it isnt ES south i'll be surprised. The only other suitable locations by way of floorspace are Zavvi, Sony (if they occupy the currently unoccupied 1st floor as well) and the units to be vacated in ES (New Look or Top shop....but given the age and layout of both i'd say unlikely)

 

[BigLebowski]

^^

Well, if they ever come to your company, try getting them into the old Boots store in Monumant Mall, that place needs a tennant.

Good news about Sony staying in Newcastle, the current is out of the way and doesn't seem to get mmuch custom, though Eldon Gardens isn't exactly going to do it much good either, then again it could prove to be the break Eldon Gardens needs, acting like an ancor store if you like.

Thats what theyre hoping! Eldon Gardens has lost pretty much all of its big tenants in the space of a year, and a refusal to budge or negotiate on rent levels meant the smaller ones quickly followed suit. I think unless it really offers something different to attract people, it's cul-de-sac layout means its always going to struggle.

 

[BigLebowski]

I believe that Muji are in administration. Colette would be a quirky addition though.

Are you sure about that? i received an email about 'franchising opportunities' supposedly from them about two weeks ago...Good job i didnt reply, i can just see the missus' face as i spunked our life savings on a company about to go under....

 

[BigLebowski]

Barclays would have merged .

next are taking topmans unit or space above eldon leisure, one of the two. slaters only taking the upper floors.

It was my understanding the space on offer wasn't above Eldon Leisure, it was space currently occupied by Eldon Leisure, who would then re-tool their remaining space into smaller but more modern facilities, and the new space would actually be an extension of the top floor of the current Top Man unit. I might be wrong, but if the only space on offer was where EL currently lies how would it be accessed from the mall level?

 

[BigLebowski]

Looks GOOD!

Photo courtesy of HoldenElder on Twitpic



.

I wonder which one's the Apple store......