Nottingham’s intu Victoria Centre is celebrating after being shortlisted for a national retail award in recognition of its £40m remodelling scheme that has transformed the centre.
The shopping centre was shortlisted as one of six in the Refurbishment and/or Extension (over £5m) award category at the BCSC Gold Awards held at the prestigious Grosvenor House hotel in London last week (December 2) – with intu Eldon Square winning the overall award. intu Bromley was also shortlisted in the separate Refurbishment and/or Extension (under £5m) category.
This retail accolade aims to showcase examples of active investment into existing retail destinations, such as intu Victoria Centre, which have significantly improved in retail experience and appearance.
Nigel Wheatley, general manager at intu Victoria Centre, said: “Over the last two years we have worked extremely hard to remodel the centre and deliver a light, bright and modern shopping centre to our customers and we are delighted that this has been recognised.
“We have received a huge number of compliments from customers since the completion of the works to the lower mall – and the addition of the Clocktower dining area has been hugely well received.
“Not only have we given our customers a far more attractive place to shop, we have also attracted a host of new retailers to the city. Since starting work on the remodelling, we have seen the likes of Urban Outfitters, Superdry and Tiger open stores here – firsts for the city.”
The £40m remodelling programme has opened up the centre’s malls with improved lighting, new flooring and ceilings, upgraded toilet facilities as well as new entrances to the centre.
In addition, intu Victoria Centre has recently completed the new Clocktower dining area – a two-storey dining area focused around a stunning feature entrance around the Grade II listed Clock Tower – part of the old train station that once stood where the shopping centre is now.
The Clocktower dining area opened to the public in November and has brought a number of brand new eateries to Nottingham to boost the city’s thriving food and drink scene.
“The Clocktower dining area is also packed full of new names to the city – Thaikhun, Ed’s Easy Diner, Tortilla, Handmade Burger Co and Joe’s Kitchen, and there are more on the way with Coast 2 Coast opening later this month and others yet to come,” added Nigel.
“We are constantly working hard to ensure that our centre offers our customers an excellent retail and leisure destination and we are thrilled that our hard work has paid off and we have been rewarded with this prestigious award shortlisting.”
The Gold Awards recognise achievements in the retail property industry. The awards celebrate the most creative and innovative retail outlets, showcasing work over the past year and bringing together elite individuals in the retail industry.
The award winners were announced during the BCSC Annual Dinner on December 2 at Grosvenor House Hotel in London following the visit of an independent judging panel to each centre earlier in the year.
