Six more top names are to be added to the line-up at The Lexicon Bracknell, the £240 million retail and leisure town centre transformation in Berkshire. The new announcements follow an enormously successful seven-weeks of trading since the scheme opened last month, and a huge amount of positive feedback about the new retail destination from retailers and consumers alike.
At 94.3% occupancy, with a further 5,090 sq ft in negotiations, the transformed town centre has also been shortlisted for three prestigious industry awards; one MAPIC Award and two Revo Gold Awards, under the ‘Best Retail Urban’, ‘Re:new’ and ‘Re:generate’ categories. The winners are due to be announced in November and December, respectively.
British clothing company, Charles Tyrwhitt, leads a string of new lettings. The retailer specialises in men’s shirts, shoes, suits, knitwear and accessories, and some lines of womenswear and will be joined by Jack Wills, Accessorize, Hotel Chocolat, Revital and TGI Fridays.
Richard Poyser, Retail Leasing Manager for Legal & General, said: “Interest from brands in The Lexicon has only increased since we opened last month. The vast majority of our retailers have significantly exceeded their sales targets and some have reported that their Bracknell stores are their best performing nationally. The feedback we’ve had has surpassed all expectations and we’ve had some really exciting conversations with new names as a direct result of overall performance over the past seven weeks.”
Charles Tyrwhitt, opening a 1,685 sq ft store, will be joined by Jack Wills, the British-heritage inspired clothing retail in a 2,260 sq ft store. Accessorize, offering a vibrant and eclectic mix of inspirational women’s fashion accessories will also join the line-up in a 1,045 sq ft unit. The new retailers will open on The Avenue and will further boost The Lexicon’s fashion credentials.
Award-winning, British chocolatier, Hotel Chocolat, will open on Braccan Walk in a 1,310 sq ft space and Revital, the health-food, vitamins, supplements and beauty product retailer has signed to open in an 830 sq ft shop on The Avenue, adjacent to M&S.
Additionally, TGI Fridays will join the impressive line-up of F&B occupiers at The Lexicon. The American casual-dining brand will open a 7,470 sq ft restaurant alongside other occupiers including Prezzo, GBK, Bill’s and Carluccios.
Jessica Berney, Head of UK Retail at at Schroder Real Estate, said: “We’re delighted that The Lexicon Bracknell has been so well received by its catchment area, testament to the quality of the scheme and the need for a revitalised town centre in Bracknell. The feedback from retailers and F&B operators since launch has been incredibly positive, which in turn is continuing to encourage further retailer and F&B occupier interest with little sign of momentum slowing. We look forward to many successful years ahead for The Lexicon.”
The renovated town centre is anchored by Marks & Spencer and the first, new build, full-line Fenwick to open in 14 years. The Lexicon is also home to the Thames Valley’s only 4DX cinema at the 12-screen Cineworld and The Bull, a refurbished and extended public house, dating back to the 15th Century.
The Lexicon Bracknell was developed by The Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, a 50:50 joint venture between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Real Estate Fund, working in partnership with Bracknell Forest Council. It is part of a £768 million investment in the regeneration of Bracknell Forest Borough. Joint agents for The Lexicon Bracknell are CBRE and Lunson Mitchenall.
