December 2010: In a massive vote of confidence for Reading, one of the UK’s largest multiple and fastest growing retailers has chosen Broad Street Mall as the site of its 347th store. Wilkinson Hardware Stores has moved into Broad Street Mall at the site of the former food court where the landlord Ivypark has created a first floor store specifically for Wilkinson. The 25,000 sq ft store had a grand opening on 2nd December.
Mark Hull, Property Controller at Ivypark Ltd., comments: “This is a very substantial letting and a tremendous boost for Reading and for the Broad Street Mall Shopping Centre. Wilkinson’s commitment to the centre reinforces the justification of our continued investment in the centre, and is a major part of our plans to improve the shopping experience in the town for local shoppers and traders alike,”
Clive Snashall, Head of Agency at Gilbert Evans, joint leasing agents, adds: “With over 75 shops and 765 car parking spaces, Broad Street Mall is a favourite destination for Reading’s shoppers. It is already home to popular brands including TK Maxx, Peacocks, Foot Locker, Argos and New Look”.
“With footfall up by 5% year on year, the centre is really bucking current trends,” says centre manager Steve Fawke. “Footfall is already hitting 175,000 a week and we expect that this will rise significantly now Wilkinson has opened”
Reading is one of the top ten towns in the UK and Wilkinson have been looking to secure a store in the town for many years. Wilkinson is moving into Broad Street Mall on the back of the significant investment that Ivypark has made in the centre over recent years and strong and complimentary retailer line up throughout the shopping centre.
Wilkinson’s Area Manager Andrew Rosier continues: “This is a really exciting development for Wilkinson, and expectations are high for our Reading store.”