News

Concern that empty shopping centre harming Westgate

By by Marcus Mabberley
November 22, 2007

FRUSTRATIONS are growing about the near-empty Galleries Shopping Centre six months after its owner promised a major retailer for the site.

Threadneedle Property Investment Limited — the property and asset manager for centre owner Zurich Assurance — said in April that the new occupier would revitalise town centre shopping.

But just four of the 21 units in The Galleries are currently occupied with only one — the former post office — under offer for lease at an annual fee of £55,000.

Restaurants looking to open branches in the imminent Westgate project have been put off by the state of the beleaguered shopping centre, Gordon Aitchison, chief executive of developer Citygrove, said.

However, Andrew Lloyd, Rushmoor Borough Council’s chief executive, remained upbeat and vowed to continue to apply pressure on Threadneedle.

He admitted to becoming increasingly frustrated about the lack of activity and is keen to see some positive action.

“We recognise that The Galleries should be a major trading centre and are keen to see it occupied,” he said.

“We are concerned that people will interpret the empty shops as a sign that there is no investment in Aldershot, but that is not the case.”

He acknowledged that potential Westgate investors were put off following a tour of the town and The Galleries.

“We as a council cannot make any action happen but we will continue to cajole and apply pressure,” Mr Lloyd added.

“I speak to Threadneedle monthly and from what I understand they are still working to secure an occupier.

“They have spent a significant amount of time and money vacating the units and the council is keen to do as much as it can to help.”

Escalators linking High Street to the upper deck of The Galleries have been cordoned off for two months.

Mr Lloyd added that he would be happy to see the Galleries as a traditional shopping centre with a number of separate retailers if plans for a single occupier do not materialise.

The four current occupiers are clothes shop Pilot, hardware store Kitchen Kiosk, health food retailer Julian Graves and Optisave Opticians.

Cllr Mike Roberts, a member of the town centre advisory group, branded Threadneedle’s lack of action as “reprehensible”.

“They seem to be a secret society and appear to have no thought or consideration about Aldershot or its people,” he said.

“Aldershot deserves better than it’s getting from them and, frankly, it is getting embarrassing.”

The Labour member for Heron Wood feels swift action is required as shoppers look to The Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading, Festival Place in Basingstoke or Guildford for their retail needs. He accused Threadneedle of failing to keep the council and residents informed about what their plans are for The Galleries.

“There isn’t even an open conversation,” he said. “What is amazing is that there isn’t even any conversation about what is going on. We don’t need any more food retailers, as we’ve enough convenience stores and a Tesco that is one of the largest in the country.

“What we need is something different that will attract shoppers who want to spend their money in Aldershot.

“At the moment the retail offer is poor. I think we’re very fortunate to have Marks & Spencer still in the town centre.”

A spokesman for Thread-needle said the company remained “fully committed” to The Galleries as a “long-term investment”.

She confirmed that negotiations were on going with a third party about the development of a “major” 40,000sq ft retail facility.

However, she added: “The details of the negotiations are still confidential and we will keep the Town Centre Management Group and the media up to date with developments when these become available.”