Atria Watford, owned by property company SGS and asset managed by Global Mutual in conjunction with Savills as property managers, has announced that B&M is opening its first store at the centre later this year. Choice Discount, Peacocks and Bonmarché – in a combined store – are also set to open their doors in the second half the year.
All the units are located in the former John Lewis building, joining Dunelm (33,000sq ft), in its first shopping centre location, and Poundland (14,500sq ft).
The new B&M store, which will provide c. 21,000sq ft of retail space, is situated on the lower mall level.
Choice Discount’s new store will span 5,000sq ft and has been signed on a 10-year lease. The store will offer a huge range of brands and designer products at lower prices, across womenswear, menswear, kidswear and accessories.
The Peacocks and Bonmarché combined store will cover 10,000 q ft and will be home to both brands’ leading value clothing and accessories. The unit has also been signed on a 10-year lease.
Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “We are pleased to kick start 2024 by welcoming a host of new names to Atria Watford, including our first ever B&M store. These new additions will increase choice for our visitors – bringing quality at affordable prices.
“It’s great to see new brands coming to the centre and the revitalisation of the former John Lewis unit is indicative of increased confidence across the sector. We look forward to the store openings later this year.”
A spokesperson for B&M Retail said: “We’re incredibly excited about our new store opening coming to Atria Watford and we’re feeling extremely positive about being able to create more jobs for local people.
“We hope customers are going to be delighted with the news that B&M is coming to this prime location and we’re excited to start welcoming them through the doors when we open later in the year.”
