Specialist asset manager Realm has announced four strategically important lettings at Dalton Park in County Durham. These deals secured by Realm’s specialist in-house leasing team have significantly enhanced the asset for the owners as well as adding more destination appeal to consumers. The new brands joining the line up are Crew Clothing, Clarks, Skechers and Dune making a total of 11,335 sq ft of new space.
Crew Clothing Co. has extended its outlet portfolio by signing a lease for a 1,640 sq ft unit at the scheme and now sits alongside other lifestyle brands including Ben Sherman, Levi’s and Fat Face.
Meanwhile a significant increase in footwear has been secured by Realm in a series of deals which have been heralded as a “gamechanger” for the outlet. Outlet heavyweight Clarks has now committed to Dalton Park after successful expansion trials in a popup format and their permanent 2,320 sq ft new store will open in July.
In another anchor letting, Skechers, the US lifestyle and athletic footwear brand will open an impressive 5,853 sq ft store in August and certainly enhance the broad family appeal of the scheme and be ready for trading in the busy Back to School period
Dalton Park has been actively asset managed to a more aspirational market positioning in recent years by Realm and this has been endorsed by a third footwear letting to premium footwear brand, Dune, who will open a 1,522 sq ft store this September.
The final piece in the jigsaw for this burst of activity at the scheme is an upsize for Radley who have committed deploy their latest premium shopfit in a larger unit at the centre, having been buoyed by the performance of their existing store.
Christine Grace, Director of Leasing at Realm, commented:
“Dalton Park is a great example of where Realm can palpably demonstrate what we do best as an operator with in-house leasing, marketing and commercial operations. Our approaches and proposals to new and existing brands are always personable, well-informed and backed up with an innate knowledge of the catchment and its potential. Having a leasing team with significant retail exposure helps us present opportunities in a like-minded way. We invest in the process too so we care passionately about how our brand partners perform once they open new stores and ensure they share in the overarching success of the scheme they have chosen. It’s a three way win:win:win as we help develop stronger businesses for retailers, bring in new customers to the outlets who stay longer and spend more and of course add value for our clients in the process.”
