Lincolnshire Co-op’s £70m redevelopment of The Cornhill Quarter has attracted three major fashion retailers, Phase 8, Whistles and Hobbs, to its mixed used scheme in the centre of Lincoln.
The new signings will bring an enhanced fashion offer to The Cornhill Quarter totaling 4,563 sq ft with Phase 8 taking 1,593 sq ft, Whistles 1,237sq ft and Hobbs taking 1,733 sq ft.
This follows news in early 2019 that TFG’s London branch, which also operates Damsel in a Dress and Studio 8, appointed Braiser Freeth as portfolio advisors to help achieve its ambitions for securing over 100,000 sq ft of retail space in the UK over the next 12 months. It will be the first time the three brands will offer their full range to Lincoln – currently only existing as concessions within department stores in the city.
Phase 8 and Hobbs will be located in the third phase of the development in the building that will be home to The Botanist and Everyman cinema; which are both set to open early 2020. Whistles will be located in the Corn Exchange building alongside a host of brands including Cosy Club, Flying Tiger Copenhagen and Moss Bros, which are all already open.
Will Thomas, Partner at KLM Retail, said:
“TFG London has been through an exciting period of expansion and it is testament to the success of The Cornhill Quarter that Phase 8, Hobbs and Whistles have all chosen to take units here.
“The uncertainty in the industry has created a difficult landscape for the sector over the past year, but we have seen continued interest from retailers wanting to take space in the unique traditional high street setting of The Cornhill Quarter, and we are looking forward to sharing more great names soon.”
This news follows the announcement at the beginning of the year that Pho, the Vietnamese restaurant group founded by Stephen and Juliette Wall, is the latest brand to sign up for Lincoln’s £70m development in The Cornhill Quarter, taking 2,917 sq ft of space. Along with a host of great brands that opened at the end of 2019 including Neon Sheep, Doughnotts’ and énergie Fitness, with The Botanist and Everyman cinema currently fitting out.
Ursula Lidbetter, Lincolnshire Co-op’s Chief Executive, commented:
“The signing of these three major fashion brands for The Cornhill Quarter sets 2020 off as another great year for the development. It’s exciting to see our vision taking shape for a new day into evening destination for the city. These retailers will really add to Lincoln’s fashion retail offering and complement the other retail and leisure names in The Cornhill Quarter.”
The scheme is also home to an array of other brands including; Cosy Club, Moss Bros., Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Lakeland, 200 degrees, Co-op, Neon Sheep, Doughnotts’, Seasalt and énergie Fitness all helping to create a revitalised city centre retail destination.
In addition, £30m has been invested by the Council for transport infrastructure improvements and a further £1.5m to enhance the urban realm of the scheme.
