Fareham: ‘Full house’ called at flourishing shopping village
Locks Heath Shopping Village, a flourishing shopping destination in south Hampshire, is now fully let after a proactive leasing strategy, targeting independent stores, by NewRiver via regional commercial property consultancy Hughes Ellard.
The retail, leisure and office development – first opened in 1983 – is owned and managed by listed retail property specialist NewRiver whose portfolio totals £1.2 billion across 8 million sq ft, with 150 million consumers using its 33 community-led shopping centres across the UK.
Since acquisition, NewRiver has worked hard to create an attractive retail and community destination for the locals of Fareham and wider catchment; a wide range of boutique, independent shops give a local village feel, as well as ensuring there are popular favourites.
Stuart Mitchell, asset director at NewRiver, said: “Shoppers can come and do their weekly shop at our brand-new Waitrose or choose from freshly-sourced local produce at our independent butchers."
Harnish Patel, associate director at Hughes Ellard, has worked with NewRiver on the final wave of office and leisure occupier lettings at the mix-use scheme.
He said: “Locks Heath Shopping Village is now very well placed following NewRiver’s ongoing commitment, rolling investment and hands-on asset management approach to raise the profile of the mix-use scheme. It has created employment and improved the level of amenity and general retail offer available to the public."
Unit 33-27 has been let to the gym operator Anytime Fitness; the office at unit 39 is occupied by commercial finance group Premier; bridal wear retailer Cloud Nine Bridal is now at unit 41; and Southsea-based Everybody Pilates has taken space at unit 42.
Patel said: “The scheme has historically suffered with lengthy void periods but this has changed with NewRiver’s proactive approach to meeting the needs and expectations of retail-savvy consumers in a rapidly evolving and challenging environment.
“It is the first time the centre been at capacity in a very long time and the customer-focused landlord has ambitions to further develop and improve the retail offer rather than resting on any laurels.”
Locks Heath Shopping Village, which has 450 free car parking spaces, is home to popular many other popular household brands including Iceland, Coffee Costa, COOK, Pizza Hut, Coral and SUBWAY. There is also a community centre, Post Office, dentist and library.
