Concerns over vacant units at designer outlet
SHOPPERS have raised concerns about the number of empty shops at one of Wales’ biggest out-oftown retail complexes.
One described the situation at Bridgend’s McArthurGlen as “tragic”.
The shopping complex has lost big names like Gap, FatFace and Build A Bear and there are around nine empty units at the complex.
One shopper said: “I went this week to pick up some bits and pieces for a trip we are going on.
“I was shocked by the number of empty units and a lot of the shops I went for had gone.
“The ones that were there didn’t really have a great range either so we left feeling disappointed. All the empty units did look tragic.”
Another said: “Prices are high and there are so many empty shops. I went there for a handbag, and came home with a pastie.”
And one said: “At first you don’t realise how many shops are empty because the windows have been cleverly covered up and it makes it look like they are open.
“I don’t often go, but it did seem very quiet.”
It is not all bad, as one shopper on TripAdvisor said: “Great shopping place with great shops and amazing discounts always visit this place and like going there, also have a park for the kids halfway through shopping there.”
Another said: “We absolutely love this place for shopping as we can take our dog with us and in most of the stores. The place is always clean and well presented – a great day out.”
Figures from analysts Springboard this week have shown footfall is less than 10% below 2019’s pre-Covid levels for the first time since the start of pandemic.
The gap narrowed due both to steady gains in visitor numbers made over recent weeks and weak comparisons in 2019.
UK footfall rose modestly across all retail destinations last week with high streets outperforming both shopping centres and retail parks.
A spokesman for McArthurGlen, which has seven sites across the UK, said: “There have been some store closures at the centre as a direct result of the pandemic; however, we have received significant interest in a number of the vacant units and will be announcing five exciting new openings in the coming months.
“In addition, we have seen a number of our designer brand partners undertake extensive refurbishments of their units, including Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger – both of which have undergone renovations to enhance the shopping experience.”