ALTERIS announces plans to transform Vicar Lane
Vicar Lane Shopping Centre has unveiled plans to transform the centre following its acquisition earlier this year by ALTERIS.
Purpose-built in 2001 as an open-air scheme, with iconic views through to the famous crooked spire of Chesterfield’s Church of St. Mary and All Saints, the centre draws over 3 million visitors annually.
After five years in receivership, ALTERIS identified an opportunity to create a thriving retail-focused asset in a historic town centre, with one of the UK’s strongest retail heritages, based around the country’s largest open-air market.
ALTERIS is formulating a masterplan vision for Vicar Lane in conjunction with architects Leslie Jones which will see St. James Square become a much more animated focal point within the scheme and re-energise a key meeting point for shoppers within the town.
Bert Broadhead, Director at ALTERIS said: “We’ve identified huge potential in Vicar Lane as it sits in a prime position within a thriving market town. We see a great opportunity to re-imagine the scheme making it more of a centre of gravity for Chesterfield – with enhanced F&B and leisure to complement the existing retail. We also have plans to enhance the public realm to make Vicar Lane a more uplifting place to be.”
“There is much talk of High Streets being in decline at the moment, but this isn’t the case everywhere. We spotted an opportunity with Vicar Lane where we can build upon a positive local catchment, strong asset potential and the prospect of economic growth within Chesterfield – not least via the planned HS2 station a stone’s throw from the centre. After many years of inertia, the centre offers us a blank canvas on which we can build.”
“We will be aiming to work with both national and independent operators, harnessing the latest technologies as well as traditional retail practices to help create a retail experience for the modern age, right in the heart of historic Chesterfield.”
Bert Broadhead will be speaking more about the plans for Vicar Lane at the upcoming Celebrate Chesterfield event on the 20th March, where local businesses come together to celebrate the town and hear about local regeneration work.
Technology is also a key factor and ALTERIS is investing in cutting-edge services which will help make the customer experience more user-friendly and fulfilling.
Tenants at Vicar Lane, which is currently 94% leased, include TJ Hughes, H&M, River Island, JD Sports, New Look, Superdrug, Deichmann, Waterstones, CEX, O2, 3 Store and Holland & Barrett, as well as local brands Quoozies and Ministry.
