Uniqlo to anchor Angel Central

CBRE Global Investors has todayannounced that Japanese clothing retailer, UNIQLO, has signed as the anchor tenant for the proposed new development at Angel Central, Islington. The new c. 15,500 sq ft store is set to launch in late 2019.

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Angel Central is currently being transformed with an £11m investment, as part of an overall masterplan to improve the offer and positioning of the Shopping Centre. The redevelopment has been designed to bolster the Shopping Centre’s retail options, also featuring new food and beverage outlets, health, fitness and leisure operators, and upgraded customer facilities. The Angel Wings remain at the heart of the destination, and CBRE Global Investors has plans for further investment at Angel Central in the coming months and years.

As part of this redevelopment, a bespoke unit was created specifically for UNIQLO, opposite H&M. Covering c. 5,300 sq ft on the ground floor and c. 10,200 sq ft at basement level, the new store will sell the brand’s specialised ‘LifeWear’ range that focuses on good quality basics with a simple design. Global brand UNIQLO opened their first official store in 1984, now has over 1000 stores worldwide.  

Commenting on the UNIQLO signing, Laura Wilson-Brown, Head of Asset Management UK at CBRE Global Investors, said: “We are thrilled to announce this international fashion brand joining Angel Central as the new anchor tenant. UNIQLO has firmly established itself as a leader in the retail marketplace and they will be a very popular addition to the scheme for our customers and the local community. We look forward to continuing to welcome other dynamic retail, restaurant and leisure tenants, alongside UNIQLO, to a revitalisedAngel Central.”

Take Morikawa, CEO at UNIQLO EU, added: “It’s a privilege to be opening at North London’s most popular retail and leisure destination, with such a strong footfall and an exciting refurbishment, Angel Central is a very attractive location. We look forward to launching our new store and offering new and existing customers our LifeWear range.”

This announcement follows the extension of Vue Cinemas lease and the plans to significantly enhance their Angel Central location. In addition, CBRE Global Investors has acquired 14 and 16 Upper Street for a total of £6.7m, as part of the future strategy for the scheme. In addition, international stationary specialist Typo, recently launched at Angel Central as part of its UK expansion plans.

The 170,000 sq ft Angel Central benefits from an annual footfall of 10 million visitors and is ranked in the top 10 of London Retail Destinations*. In 2018 CBRE Global Investors put a £11 million investment into transforming the basement of Angel Central from the existing carpark into new retail and leisure space. This redevelopment was designed to ensure Angel Central can deliver space to meet demand from several new brands and uses. Additionally, helping to increase footfall to Angel town centre, also creating almost 80 new jobs and boosting local business rates by £250,000 a year.

CBRE and CWM acted for Angel Central. CBRE represented UNIQLO.

*CACI’s Retail Footprint 2016

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About CBRE Global Investors

CBRE Global Investors is a global real asset investment management firm with $107.2 billion in assets under management* as of March 31, 2019. The firm sponsors investment programs across the risk/return spectrum for investors worldwide.

CBRE Global Investors is an independently operated affiliate of CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE). It harnesses the research, investment sourcing and other resources of the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2018 revenue) for the benefit of its investors. CBRE Group, Inc. has more than 90,000 employees (excluding affiliates) and serves real estate investors and occupiers through more than 480 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. For more information about CBRE Global Investors, please visit www.cbreglobalinvestors.com.

*Assets under management (AUM) refers to the fair market value of real asset-related investments with respect to which CBRE Global Investors provides, on a global basis, oversight, investment management services and other advice and which generally consist of investments in real assets; equity in funds and joint ventures; securities portfolios; operating companies and real asset-related loans. This AUM is intended principally to reflect the extent of CBRE Global Investors' presence in the global real asset market, and its calculation of AUM may differ from the calculations of other asset managers.