IM Properties (IMP) has been on a £10.5m shopping spree in Leamington Spa, acquiring several prime retail assets in the town’s main regency boulevards.
Buying up blocks in The Parade and Warwick Street, opposite the entrance to the Royal Priors Shopping Centre, and a further site in Guy Street, the 31,227 sq ft of retail space is home to some of the town’s largest national retailers including Greggs, Poundland and Argos.
Impressed by the growth potential Leamington offers, Harry Goodman, IMP’s asset manager said: “The town centre has been on our radar for a while. It’s an affluent town, with an appealing mix of major national retail brands and independent boutiques.
“We see a lot of opportunity to add further value and character to the assets. We’re already in talks with some really strong and exciting new operators, who are looking to take up the small amount of vacant space available.”
IM Properties is no stranger to the benefits of investing in upmarket suburbs in Warwickshire, having owned Mell Square Shopping centre in Solihull since 2013.
Harry added: “The retailers have confidence in the spa town too. The Card Factory and Greggs have both had their leases extended by a further 10 years, and we have also recently completed a letting to Coffee #1 on Warwick Street.”
Leamington recently announced plans for a £50m redevelopment of new council headquarters to create a major new gateway into the town centre, stimulating the local economy by an estimated £1m.
Harry concluded: “Clearly Leamington is a very attractive place to live, work and shop. The area around The Parade and Warwick Street attracts some seven million people a year.
“Since 2005, the town has experienced above average employment growth and the population figures are set to rise. This sets out a very positive picture for the town and we are looking forward to being a part of its continued success.”
Coleshill based, IM Properties, is one of the largest privately owned property companies in the UK and has a £1 billion portfolio including retail, offices, industrial and residential. Most notable assets in Warwickshire include Mell Square Shopping centre and Blythe Valley Park in Solihull.