A £151 million extension to a shopping complex in Livingston is expected to be fully let in time for it opening later this year, despite growing caution among retailers about expansion.
The Elements development, will see 35 top retailers and restaurants added to the existing outlets at Almondvale Shopping Centre and the McArthur Glen Outlet Village.
Swedish fashion chain H&M is the latest to sign up for a prime spot at the innov
ative new centre, which will attempt to recreate an outdoor street scene indoors.
The complex is due to open in October and the company behind the development said today 70 per cent of the units currently either have a tenant signed up or on the verge of being confirmed.
And David Smith, owner Land Securities' leasing director for The Elements, said: "We are in a slightly soft economy at the moment but we are creating a good-quality destination and because the quality is right retailers are converging on it. It is a good product and a good catchment area and that appeals to retailers, even in difficult times.
"Retailers are very careful about what they are doing all over the UK at the moment and anything that is not a bit special they aren't interested in."
The company is expecting to be in the position to confirm a lot of deals that are currently with lawyers in the coming weeks.
Among them is H&M, which would be seen as a coup for the Livingston development and would take the third biggest retail space at the site.
As well as the retail units, Land Securities has secured a number of high-profile international restaurant brands.
It wants to see the centre being used by customers beyond the normal retail trading hours.
A top-floor leisure space was put onto the market recently and is expected to appeal to a wide range of potential tenants.
Gavin Anderson, leisure partner for Montagu Evans, which is responsible for leasing the leisure site, said: "The unit is suitable for a bar/nightclub, comedy club, live music venue, pool/snooker/sports bar, health and fitness, bingo, indoor golf, or a children's activity centre."
Kathrine Armstead, Land Securities' portfolio manager, said: "People have confidence in the site because it is anchored by M&S and Debenhams.
"It's also about the local economy. West Lothian Council has been very proactive. There are around 25000 houses being built in the area and that is very attractive to retailers."
What's in store at The Elements:CONFIRMED• Debenhams
• Marks & Spencer
• H&M
• River Island
• Beaverbrooks
• Wagamama
• ASK Restaurants
• Nando's
• 3
• Barclays Diamonds
• Swarovski
• Orange
IN ADVANCED NEGOTIATIONS• Topshop
• Next
• Tony Roma's
• Chiquito
• Waterstone's
• Jane Norman
• Burton
• Dorothy Perkins
• Ortak
• Cotswold
The full article contains 485 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
