Queensberry has signed The White Company, the stylish lifestyle store, cosmetics brand Bobbi Brown, and laid-back furniture company Loaf (Loaf.com) to its prestigious Tunsgate Quarter development in the heart of Guildford. The new signings will join world renowned restaurant The Ivy Collection and luxury home furnishings from OKA, which will anchor the 80,000 sq ft scheme.
Demonstrating confidence in Guildford’s town centre, The White Company will be doubling the size of its store in the town, relocating from its current location at 13 Swan Lane to a 5,000 sq ft space on the ground floor on a 10-year lease. The new store will offer the brand’s lifestyle products, high-quality home furnishings, and stylish clothing for women, men and children.
Sarah King, Director of Property & Estates at The White Company, said: “We have been trading successfully in Guildford for many years and have a loyal following of customers, but have been looking to increase the size of our store for some time. Tunsgate Quarter will allow us to showcase a much broader product range befitting our brand.”
Demonstrating further confidence in the scheme, Loaf has chosen Tunsgate Quarter for the location of its first store outside London. The new 5,800 sq ft store, on which Loaf has taken a ten-year lease, will showcase Loaf’s high-quality, relaxed furniture.
Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf, said, “We have long been keen to open a store in Guildford. The town has an affluent catchment which will be attracted to Loaf’s high-quality products. Tunsgate Quarter provides us with the perfect location, and we’re looking forward to bringing something new to the people of Guildford, when Tunsgate Quarter opens in October this year.”
Bobbi Brown will join Loaf and The White Company, taking 650 sq ft on a 10-year lease. Expressing the brand’s unique philosophy, the store will be Bobbi Brown’s first standalone shop in Guildford, showcasing its range of premium cosmetics, beauty products and expert services.
Tunsgate Quarter reflects Queensberry’s vision to create an expanded retail hub, embracing complementary retailers adjacent to the scheme, the High Street and Guildford Castle.
Chris Daly, Senior Leasing Manager at Queensberry said: “Following the signing of The Ivy and OKA, these three additional brands further demonstrate the quality of the line-up we’re creating for Tunsgate Quarter. We have agreed terms with a number of other premium operators that will be announced shortly.”
Once complete, Tunsgate Quarter will comprise 26 units in total, (18 retail units and 8 restaurants), and will connect the High Street with Castle Street. The scheme will have a striking new atrium at its heart and two new levels to the rear of the scheme, offering al fresco dining, and views over Guildford Castle and its gardens. Tunsgate Quarter will open in October 2017.
Lyons + Sleeman + Hoare is the architects for Tunsgate Quarter, and the agents are Bruce Gillingham Pollard and Cushman & Wakefield. ISG PLC is the contractors for the scheme. The White Company was represented by SPACE – Retail Property Consultants, Loaf by GCW and Bobbi Brown by JLL.
