The Lexicon Bracknell has signed two new top brands, Skechers and Whittard of Chelsea, building on a successful first four months of trading. The new signings take the total number of new brands, The Lexicon has brought to the town centre, to 38. Since opening in September 2017, The Lexicon has consistently received positive feedback from both retailers and customers, boosting visitor numbers to Bracknell town centre by almost four times the previous figure, compared with before the urban regeneration project began.
Skechers, the American footwear company, will open in a 5,226 sq ft store on Braccan Walk. Offering a selection of over 3,000 performance and lifestyle footwear styles, the company will further boost The Lexicon’s strong footwear line-up, including other retailers such as Timberland, Foot Locker, Office and Clarks.
International tea, coffee and cocoa retailer, Whittard of Chelsea has signed for a 1,217 sq ft unit on The Avenue. Established in 1861, the retailer is famous for its bespoke blends, in keeping with its philosophy to buy the best and blend the brightest.
Jessica Berney, Head of Retail at Schroder Real Estate, said: “We’re delighted to have secured two further lettings at The Lexicon, demonstrating the ongoing interest in the development from both customers and national and international retailers alike. The Lexicon has already started to prove itself as the Berkshire destination of choice with footfall of 5.8 million achieved in the four months since launch with up to 16 million for the year projected.”
Following a £240 million regeneration, the transformed Bracknell town centre reopened in Autumn 2017 providing a vibrant new retail and leisure destination for Bracknell. Hines UK recently announced one of the largest lettings details in the Thames Valley, having leased 41,000 sq ft of office space in the town to Panasonic for one of its new UK headquarters. Raj Rajput, Managing Director of Hines UK, commented on the “real buzz” around Bracknell, describing The Lexicon as a “game-changer, breathing new life into the town”. The Lexicon was ranked 33rd top shopping destination in the UK, according to industry commentator Trevor Wood Associates, in comparison to its 255th ranking in 2017, prior to the redevelopment.
Richard Poyser, Head of Retail Relationships & Leasing for Legal & General, said: “It’s fantastic to see the intended impact that The Lexicon is having on Bracknell coming to fruition. Following the rejuvenation of the town centre with a broad variety of top retailers and F&B operators, the development is proving to have had a significant benefit on the wider Bracknell catchment since launch and has been a catalyst to creating additional value and further opportunities elsewhere in the town. The investment into The Lexicon will support long term demographic shifts and economic growth, having already created over 3,500 jobs.”
Bracknell town centre now totals one million sq ft of retail, dining and leisure space, including the existing, adjacent Princess Square shopping centre and the 580,000 sq ft of new build at The Lexicon. The development has created a new social and cultural heart for the town and surrounding catchment area. Anchored by Marks & Spencer and the first, new build, full line Fenwick to be opened in 14 years, the scheme is also home to an impressive list of top brands such as Superdry, Next, H&M, Timberland, Jack Wills, L’Occitane, Topshop, Flying Tiger Copenhagen and Pandora.
The town centre’s evening offer has been transformed by the opening of the 12-screen Cineworld, featuring the only 4DX screen in the Thames Valley and 10 casual dining restaurants including Nando’s, Wagamama, Carluccio’s and The Bull, a Grade II listed pub dating back to the 15th century, which is Young’s first site in Berkshire.
The new town centre was developed by the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, a 50:50 joint venture between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Real Estate Fund, working with Bracknell Forest Council. Joint agents for The Lexicon are CBRE and Lunson Mitchenall.
