The reining in of new store openings and closure of many established stores has had a hugely negative effect upon numerous regional shopping centres, with Runcorn Shopping Centre being particularly hit by the losses of Tesco, B&Q and Homebase in the past few months. However, the future is now looking a little brighter for the centre, as bosses have confirmed all units will be fully let by Christmas.
One of the major units at the shopping centre, which has lain empty since Tesco vacated earlier this month, has now been let to a national retailer and, although their identity has yet to be revealed, centre manager Karl Clawley has confirmed this will lead to the creation of a further 100 jobs at the retail destination. This, for the most part, will help to tackle the jobs deficit created by the closure of Tesco in which 100 workers were made redundant.
Mr Clawley says; “We are in talks with a big named retailer to open in the old Tesco unit late summer. After all the doom and gloom of Tesco, Homebase and B&Q closing, this is a big positive message. By Christmas, we will have 70 retailers and be fully let.”
Yet the arrival of the new retailer is only the start of the good news for the Cheshire shopping centre, as it is to be a major beneficiary in the upcoming launch of Runcorn’s retail improvement district.
The initiative will aim to regenerate 300 businesses operating in the local area as a means of boosting footfall figures in the town centre and encouraging a higher number of visitors to spend within the local economy.
Spearheaded by the shopping centre itself, the business improvement district is a private sector led investment programme in which local businesses will be the main drivers of progress.
It has already begun to take root in Runcorn Shopping Centre, with one of the larger empty units having been transformed into a pop-up shop style space where local entrepreneurs can “test the waters” and see if their products appeal to consumers as a first step in small business growth.
Budding retailers simply pay a weekly or daily “peppercorn” rental sum to secure a space within the unit, and centre bosses believe this will allow for a higher level of engagement with the retail destination with local consumers. This, along with a drop-in skills shop for unemployed local residents, will help to boost footfall and transform the centre into a community hub.
Mr Clawley continues; “We’ve got one lady who makes cakes and fudge, another who sells shabby chic furniture and one who produces baby cot bumpers. We will do all the marketing and pay the electricity bills, this will give them an opportunity to try their wares.
“It’s about engaging the old town and new town to come together and revive the place – we want to re-brand Runcorn as a place to visit and we want people to come into the town.”
