St. Davids Shopping Centre

Didn't they used to be in that unit when SD2 first opened?

Bo Concept did have a store in Cardiff many years ago on the Hayes prior to its demolition to make way for St Davids. Good news that quality brands are opening

Another one bites the dust BBC News - Lakeland: Kitchenware chain to shut four stores across UK
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-55339768

Another one bites the dust BBC News - Lakeland: Kitchenware chain to shut four stores across UK
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-55339768

Doesn't surprise me but it's a shame as it was (after the demise of Kitchens) one of the few places you could get various baking items. Probably at the wrong end of the St David's shopping centre given all the empty units around it and next to John Lewis which sold many of the same items. Would probably have done better being in SD1 for passing foot traffic.

Another one bites the dust BBC News - Lakeland: Kitchenware chain to shut four stores across UK
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-55339768

I would have thought St. David's would have been willing to do a deal on rent rather than have yet another empty unit on the upper level. Maybe there's a plan for something else / a remodel of the units?

It's shame though, a really good store. Pity they aren't relocating.

Inditex have submitted their planning application for the upcoming Zara store.

https://planningonline.cardiff.gov.uk/o ... ab=summary

Michael Kors have permanently closed their store on The Hayes. The store was stripped of its stock during the final week of January with all staff made redundant. Another loss to St. David's!

In addition to the recent Michael Kors strip out, GAME have also exited St David's during the lockdown and relocated to space with House of Fraser. If this a sign of Frasers Group committing to Cardiff long term?

An inside source has also confirmed that the Debenhams unit will be subdivided following their departure. One floor will be occupied by a leisure occupier. I'm unsure whether the ground floor or first floor will become leisure. Additionally I'm unaware if an occupier has already been sourced?

Considering Cardiff is inundated with bowling alleys, cinema's and mini golf adventures, I wonder what might occupy a space that large? Birmingham Arena and Manchester Trafford Centre have Legoland Discovery Centres which are operated by Merlin Entertainment. Merlin do not have any attractions in Wales at the moment. Could St David's potentially house a Legoland Discovery Centre? The site in Manchester is roughly 35,000 Sq Ft whilst the Birmingham site is 58,900 Sq Ft.

Landsec intend for the rest of the Debenhams unit to remain as retail, but who could occupy such a space. Potentially a Flannels relocation? Maybe H Beauty by Harrods?

In other news, Morphe have confirmed a Summer opening for their upcoming St. David's store whilst Zara is expected to open in Autumn 2021.

Branded hoardings have been erected on Hayes Arcade ahead of the Breitling and Tag Heuer openings later this year. These will be welcomed additions during these uncertain times.

I was thinking about Flannels as a possible replacement for Debenhams but would Mike Ashley not put this in spare space in House of Fraser to save rent and drive people in?

Filling the other half of Debenhams will not be easy, the old Class Ohlson unit still stands empty years after closing down. It's a tough one as high street retail is shrinking fast.

Next have taken over several closed Debenhams stores and opened their main floors as beauty halls, could this be possible for St. David's?

Would House of Fraser itself not be wise to move into the Debenhams store? Its location currently places it on the edge of the retail environment and currently looks lost in the Howells building given the amount of space it has surrendered.