Independent retail is the Quay to our future, say chiefs
ANORTH East shopping centre is hoping to bounce back from the retail crisis with a focus on local independent companies.
The Royal Quays outlet centre at North Shields had 17 empty units at the end of last year as a number of national operators, including Gap and Thorntons, shut their UK high street operations.
The centre, which also suffered a slump in footfall, has now reduced its vacancy rate to just four shops after signing up a number of independent retailers.
It has now renamed itself the Royal Quays Independent and Outlet Centre in a bid to capitalise on its focus on smaller retailers.
Centre manager Matt Dawson, who took over during the pandemic, said: “Retail has been battered in the past year and we have anticipated, embraced, and supported the many new businesses here.
“We’re not going to see large brands expand soon and it’s not easy to just pull in any large store, especially as online sales have decimated many high street household names.
“We’ve rebranded because the expectations of people when they see Royal Quays Outlet is that it’s just an outlet with lots of designer brands at outlet prices.
“We want to highlight the changes we’ve made and lead the way in showing our support to the many businesses we have here, both outlet and independent. Our hybrid model is constantly adapting, and we are proud of what we have done to make the retail future bright again.”
Royal Quays opened 25 years ago close to the North Shields international ferry terminal.
Major retail chains such as Marks and Spencer and Nike once had discount outlets at the site, but it suffered from the general decline in physical retailing that was accelerated by the pandemic. Among the new independent businesses that have moved into the centre are Garden World, Hauticulture and Quay Furniture.
Steven Ward from Hauticulture, said: “We welcome the change of name at Royal Quays as we feel it better reflects the new and exciting direction Matt is taking the centre.
“Customers tell us how positive the atmosphere is now and how much of an improvement it is to see so many small local independents within the centre, offering something different that you just can’t get elsewhere.”
Customers tell us how positive the atmosphere is now Steven Ward