Objective:
To evolve a failing retail scheme and create a vibrant and resilient asset that is relevant to the city’s shoppers, visitors and workers.

Achievement:

Originally opened in 1993 the scheme provided the prime fashion shopping mall in the city. The subsequent opening of a competing fashion focused shopping centre and the fundamental changes in the retail landscape, however, meant that the strength of Castle Quarter was increasingly diminished and its relevance unclear. RivingtonHark identified the opportunity to reposition Castle Quarter to provide the leading lifestyle and social destination in Norwich and has overseen the successful execution of the business plan to achieve this.

By creating the right environment for leisure occupiers through targeted capital expenditure on rebranding, mall refurbishment and unit reconfiguration we have been able to attract some fantastic operators and Castle Quarter is now home to an enviable leisure mix which is underpinned by Vue cinema. Our strategy has delivered over 100,000 sq.ft of leasing deals including Pure Gym, Superbowl, Retro Replay, Escape Hunt, Spy Missions, Vector VR (virtual reality), Hot Pod Yoga as well as the first UK units for Boom Battle Bar and Putt Putt Noodle. As part of our plan we have also strengthened the F&B provision by leasing a 20,000 sq.ft former food court to street food, live event and bar operator, Castle Social. As a result of our work, we have seen the asset occupancy increase to 90%.

These new leisure activities provide people with yet another reason to visit Castle Quarter and complement the strong retail offering we have with tenants such as Boots, TK Maxx, The Entertainer, Flying Tiger, F Hinds, Poundland, Wed2B and Starbucks as well as our curated independent occupier mix.

Our evolution of Castle Quarter is probably the best example in the UK of repositioning a failing secondary shopping centre into a fantastic place for people to meet, shop and spend time. And all this next to a medieval Castle – what is not to like?

For more information visit the Castle Quarter website: www.castlequarternorwich.co.uk