Retailer Shoe Zone plans to move into Freshney Place
POPULAR BRAND HAS 4,000SQFT DOUBLE-FACED UNIT
COMMITTED TO TAKING A
FOOTWEAR retailer, Shoe Zone has confirmed its plans to move from its current location on Grimsby town centre’s Bullring into Freshney Place Shopping Centre.
The popular brand has committed to taking a 4,000sqft, double-faced unit in a prime location in the shopping centre at a former sports shop. JD Sports moved into a larger location in Freshney Place. Now Shoe Zone will move into the empty sports shop, located between Greggs and O2.
The relocation of the retailer is in step with the multi-million pound plans to redevelop the top town area and create a new leisure offering for the town, including a multi-screen cinema. North East Lincolnshire Council was awarded a £17m grant from the Future High Street Fund to regenerate the town centre.
The council had applied for £25 million for a major redesign of the Freshney Place entrance near the Top Town Market. The £17 million award, the biggest grant received in the council’s history, was announced in December 2020.
In January, Freshney Place shopping centre went into receivership and is in the hands of its lenders. Receivers Cushman and Wakefield were appointed on January 18. Former owners Capreon are remaining in charge as managers. In The Queen’s Speech yesterday, the Government said it would give powers to local authorities to force landlords to rent out commercial properties, revitalising high streets and restoring community pride in towns. Freshney Place and North East Lincolnshire Council pledged a further £10 million towards the town centre plan.
Yesterday, Amanda Austin, centre director at Freshney Place, said: “It’s incredibly positive that a national retailer such as Shoe Zone has remained committed to Grimsby and will now trade here in the shopping centre. Their relocation into a large, prime position in Freshney Place speak volumes as we edge closer to the town’s exciting redevelopment plans.”
Preparations for the new store will begin in the next few days. A complete refurbishment of the store will get underway ready for the opening in the coming weeks.
The shopping centre management team said they had successfully converted a number of independent traders into permanent retailers since the pandemic adding variety to its offering. These include Sports Traider, Willow Tree Boutique, Paris Hairs and Rushby Sweets.
Poundland’s move into the former New Look store was delayed until next month due to the installation of a new sprinkler system. That site is not owned by Freshney Place.