Big changes are coming to The Grafton shopping centre in Cambridge, adding to the appeal for customers of the shopping, dining, culture and entertainment destination.
The Grafton is currently undergoing an £18.5 million refurbishment programme, modernising the centre and creating a bright and pleasant new environment for customers. The renovation of the 500,000 sq ft centre will see improvements throughout. Plans include the introduction of new brands, adding to existing names like Debenhams, Next and River Island, and the creation of a casual dining quarter, improving the F&B offer in the centre and complementing the 10-screen Vue cinema.
Integral to these improvements, John O’Shea has been appointed as the new Centre Manager of The Grafton. He will work closely with the LGIM Real Assets team, owners of the centre, to deliver a revitalised shopping and leisure destination for visitors to enjoy.
Commenting on his new job, John O’Shea said: “This is a really exciting time for The Grafton. I’m looking forward to working with the LGIM Real Assets team to make this into a centre that customers want to come back to again and again. I can’t wait to stand on Fitzroy Street with the rest of the team, looking up at the new Grafton and saying – ‘We did that’. To have the chance to help make a real difference in a city like Cambridge is an opportunity I did not want to miss.”
John has significant retail experience spanning 25 years, starting with a Saturday job in the Cambridge branch of Marks & Spencer. He joins The Grafton from Grand Arcade Cambridge, where he has been General Manager for the past six years. He has worked closely with city centre retailers, local transport and leisure operators, university colleges and cultural partners across the city, promoting Cambridge as a destination for shopping, dining, culture and entertainment.
Tom Williams, Senior Asset Manager at LGIM Real Assets, commented: “We’re delighted John O’Shea is joining the team at The Grafton. He’ll work closely with retailers, enhance relations with the local community and ensure customers have plenty of reasons to visit more often and stay for longer. John’s experience will be invaluable as we create an inviting shopping and leisure experience for residents and visitors to Cambridge to enjoy.”
The refurbishment, which will be completed in 2018, is being managed by Wrenbridge, a London and Cambridge-based developer working with architects, Corstorphine & Wright. Bidwells and Strutt & Parker are the agents for The Grafton.
