In response to increased occupancy and visitor levels, Eldon Square has announced that Cormac Hamilton has been brought in as general manager, with a focus on collaborating with the retailers and wider stakeholders. This role will see Hamilton leading the company through its next phase of growth and innovation by developing sustainable strategies, launching new initiatives and maximising stakeholder value.
In his previous roles, Hamilton has had extensive experience in managing shopping centres across the country as well as bringing experience from his time as chair of the Wakefield High Street Task Force, sitting on Savills National Shopping Centre Management Executive, and from his role as national lead for the Savills mystery shop programme.
As general manager of Eldon Square, a 1.35m sq foot retail, dining and leisure space in Newcastle, he is tasked with executing the day-to-day running of the centre, in line with the sustainable, inclusive, community focused strategy that forms a major part of the business’ wider ethos. To achieve this he will further progress the company’s focus on experiential shopping and the promotion of Eldon Square within the heart of the city. The move marks the start of the next phase for Eldon Square after a year of commendable business growth that saw visitor levels increase 42.9% vs 2021 and 54.7% vs 2020, while occupancy levels in the centre soared.
Hamilton commented: “It is hugely fulfilling to be turning my focus back to the North East at this point in my career. Over the past 25 years, I have developed a detailed, in-depth knowledge of shopping centre management and a level of professional expertise that will allow me to really drive change forward in one of the country’s leading city centre shopping destinations.
“The North East is a region that I love and when it comes to Eldon Square, the vision and values really resonate with me. The focus on community inclusion and experiential shopping very much aligns with my ambitions and goals of bringing the centre, and indeed the industry, into a new era; finding out what our customers, retailers, cafes and restaurants really value and then delivering on that.”
