Shaftesbury hails leasing success
Shaftesbury has revealed that it has signed over 60 new retail, hospitality and leisure brands in London’s Carnaby, Seven Dials, Chinatown, Soho and Fitzrovia shopping districts since 1 October 2020.
In a statement, the company said the signings have coincided with the rapid recovery in footfall and sales in the areas.
Some 33 new retailers have joined Shaftesbury’s villages, of which 23 were brands making their debuts in the UK. Of the debuts, nine were online brands opening their first bricks-and-mortar stores, including French eyewear brand Bloobloom.
New concepts taking space in the district include L’Estrange, Experimental Perfume Club, White Pine, Cole Buxton, Aubin, and Han Kjobenhavn. Meanwhile, six US brands have joined the line-up including LIDS, NBA, American Eagle, Aerie, Third Man Records and Gilly Hicks.
Weekend footfall at the Shaftesbury locations is currently at or above 2019 levels, while on weekdays it stands at around 80%.
Samantha Bain-Mollison, retail director at Shaftesbury, said: “The level and quality of demand for space from such great brands and concepts reflects the strength of our portfolio and speed of its recovery following the lifting of pandemic restrictions. The 33 new retailers to have signed this year have added something different to our villages, reinforcing their positions as exciting West End shopping destinations and contributing to London’s status as a global city for retail.”
