Westfield, developer of the proposed £300 million Broadway development, is pleased to announce that Debenhams have signed up to anchor the new scheme. The Debenhams department store will be 117,000 sq ft (10,870 sq m) providing a wide range of contemporary women’s, men’s and children’s fashions and homewear, trading over three levels. The department store layout and design have been revised, following the grant of a revised planning consent last year encompassing major improvements to the overall scheme design.
The Broadway shopping scheme is to include 100 shops, 2 department stores, 171 apartments and 1,800 car parking spaces. Debenhams is one of the two anchor stores that had committed to the project when originally conceived. The other, Bhs, has already signed up to take 40,000 sq ft in the revised scheme.
Michael Gutman, Managing Director UK & Europe, Westfield, said: “We are delighted that Debenhams will have a major presence in our Bradford development. We have an excellent relationship with Debenhams which will anchor our new Derby development, due to open this autumn, and our Westfield London project at White City which will open next year. We are excited to provide retailers of the calibre of Debenhams with an excellent trading environment in the heart of Bradford, a city that has the potential to become a major regional shopping destination.”
Rob Templeman, Debenhams PLC Chief Executive says “This is an exciting time for Bradford and for the future of retailing within the city. Westfield have made a number of improvements to the scheme since they took over the project in December 2004 and based on our strong relationship with them elsewhere we are confident in the company’s ability to deliver a first class shopping experience. We feel certain that the confidence in Bradford's future will be underpinned by this major project and look forward to welcoming the people of Bradford to our new store”
Westfield is working closely with Bradford City Council and Bradford Centre Regeneration and expects the 588,000 sq ft scheme to be a major source of jobs for local people with over 3,000 being created during the construction period alone.
Bradford Council's Executive Member for Regeneration and Housing Councillor Andrew Mallinson said: “The signing of Debenhams as the anchor store for the Broadway scheme is a massive boost and really great news for the residents of the Bradford district.
“Debenhams and Bhs are two major companies and this is an example of the kind of quality retailers that will be taking the 100 spaces in the development, and they are of the high standard that Bradford requires and expects.
“I hope this commitment by Debenhams puts people's minds at rest that Westfield is working hard to deliver a quality shopping experience that will not only serve our local people but a development that will attract others to boost our economy.”
Westfield is finalizing contractual commitments from other key retailers that have already agreed terms to come into the centre before confirming a firm start date for construction. The prime 10 acre site has been cleared and all underground service diversions have been completed.
ENDS