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Who'll be in their Elements when shopping mall opens?



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Published Date: 15 May 2008
By MICHAEL BLACKLEY
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.
Page 1 of 1

 
1

allknowing,

15/05/2008 12:10:09
This is how shopping should be.

Lots of shops, lots of places to eat, an easy parking. Plus you dont get wet when it rains!!!!!

Princes St...... not a patch on out of town shopping centres! Only good for the poor!
2

capy,

embra 15/05/2008 12:24:37
and no bloody traffic wardens. edinburgh take note!!!!
3

Smasher,

15/05/2008 12:29:16
Ah more shops. That's what we need. The above list of retailers is the same retailers in every other mega shopping centre all over the UK. How people can enjoy shopping is beyond me. I personally hate going to these places. Thank God for on line shopping.
4

fresian,

edinburgh 15/05/2008 12:57:58
None of the eco nazis commenting on this one. They are obviously too stupid to realise that it is places like this which create congestion, and not building new roads.
5

Bravetart,

15/05/2008 13:26:23
And how much are they going to charge for car parking? It has been free up until now to park for the two existing centres but apparently when this place opens there will all of a sudden be parking fees introduced.
6

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

15/05/2008 13:38:40
3. True. Same old shops selling the same old stuff in a new town built to relieve glasgow slums. Same old fast food to eat.

Oh Joy , isnt life just wonderful.
7

Peedie Paws,

Edinburgh 15/05/2008 13:40:45
#5 - spot on. Livingston will start charging for parking when the Elements are open. At the moment, its free but not for much longer! Don't know how much it is but you can bet your life it won't be cheap! And to make matters worse folk will park in the Asda car park then go to the Elements for their shopping thus leaving the folk who use Asda stumped. Stay at home, shop on-line and get it delivered to your house!
8

11+failed,

the pans 15/05/2008 13:59:49
If the new complex charges for parking it will be a great opportunity for motorists, to stay away! If they think a complex like that can survive on the great unwashed arriving by bus, they are pretty stupid.
9

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

15/05/2008 14:08:45
8 You live in The Pans. You know nothing.
10

11+failed,

the pans 15/05/2008 14:18:19
9
Gee, thanks for your perceptive informed and perspicacious comment.
11

,

15/05/2008 14:21:28
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
12

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

15/05/2008 14:29:49
10 It a known phenomeonoemene that daft people from the pans will use a big word every so often as they think it makes them clever.

Also Confirmed

- Rangers Windows and Doors ™
- Penicuik Silly Putty Pillowcases and Lip Putty Emporium™
- Pointy Hats of East Kilbride ™
- Prestonpans Massive Shoulder Chips™
- Borlands Darts And Television ™
- Meat Pie Maps ™


13

Abraham Lincoln,

15/05/2008 14:32:30
Will Underpants Junction stock left-handed ones? I've looked everywhere, but when I ask shop assistants all I get is strange looks.
14

Billy Effluvia,

Paris, France 15/05/2008 14:47:55
They have them over here.

What does the word "phenomeonoemene" mean?
15

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

15/05/2008 15:03:33
Its a smell , used to attract women from Grangemouth.
16

The Genuine Mario Antoinette,

15/05/2008 15:16:03
The Arctic Monkeys Stool Softener Attic ™
17

,

15/05/2008 15:16:27
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
18

PaulB,

Edinburgh 15/05/2008 16:56:16
But will Eric and his family shop there, or stick with Glasgow?
19

ddmc,

15/05/2008 17:42:28
Nando's I've been waiting years for 1 to open near me.

Peri Peri everything !
20

AD in sunny Livingston,

15/05/2008 20:02:09
#s 5,7 & 8 - if they do in fact go ahead with the mad idea of charging for parking you'll find me at The Gyle.

Fancy joining me??!
21

Vote UKIP in the 2009 EU elections!,

15/05/2008 20:23:39
http://www.policestateplanning.com/id55.htm
22

,

15/05/2008 20:33:44
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
23

Bravetart,

15/05/2008 20:38:31
#20 There is no "if" about it. They will, one of my friends has gone for a job at the Debenhams and was told so, but the charge won't be much. So what, I'll join you at the Gyle. I don't pay for the privilege (sp?) of shopping at their centre.
24

celtic4,

USA 18/05/2008 21:06:08
Mario has humour??? Thus far I haven't witnessed this. Where is it? When will I see it? When will I laugh? I don't think so. Just insanity to me. Sigh.
25

Neutral Fan,

20/05/2008 11:23:49
To make them drop the parking charges....
1) Go for the first opening week - get all the bargins
2) Then boycott it for a week EVERYONE!! don't go near the place - they'll soon drop the charges.
26

Kendo Nagasaki,

22/05/2008 12:36:32
There are already some of these retailers up at Livingston...so what will happen to their old units when they move on to the new site?!

And yep, parking fees will be introduced later in the year although local people have already started campaigning I believe
27

Robert12,

Edinburgh 22/05/2008 15:22:10
These are already in the Almondvale...

• River Island
• Orange
• Topshop
• Next
• Burton
• Dorothy Perkins

The ASDA end is already dying on it's behind. There were enough shops as it was. Livingston should be looking at improving it's awful public transport rather than adding yet more shops.

 

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