North Point is defying gloom of high street

15/02/2012

NORTH Point shopping centre in Bransholme has one of the lowest numbers of empty shops in the country, new figures have revealed.

Statistics released by the Local Data Company show just 5.9 per cent of shops in Bransholme are standing vacant.

​Nationally, this figure stands at 14 per cent, while in Hull, 21.4 per cent of shops are empty.

With everyone from the Government and Mary Portas to think tanks and local authorities trying to stem the problem, it is something of a victory for the area to have one of the best shop take-up rates in the country.

And Bransholme's North Point Shopping Centre fares even better, with less than 4 per cent of units currently vacant.

Alec Cammish, Managing Director of asset managers Ridings Property Management Services Ltd in Beverley, has been asset manager for the development since September.

He said: "Ever since I became involved with North Point, I have been impressed with it.

"The footfall never drops below 130,000 visitors a week.

"At peak periods, this increases to 150,000, so it is a very busy centre and we do get quite a lot of enquiries about it."

Last year, North Point underwent a restructuring operation after its parent company went into administration.

Its new Chief Executive overseeing the restructuring, Adrian Doble of FRP Advisory, appointed First Investments as managing agents and Mr Cammish as an adviser on strategy.

Hull-based agent Garness Jones was also appointed, along with national agent Tushingham Moore.

Mr Cammish said some of North Point's success rested with the fact it was a district and destination shopping centre, surrounded by a relatively large population.

The fact it is covered also means shoppers are protected from the elements, whatever the weather.

However, he pointed out there were many other factors that helped create the perfect ingredients for a bustling high street.

He said: "We have a good mix of national, regional and local retailers. There is also the health centre, the library and council facilities, so it is a place a lot of people visit on a regular basis.

"In addition to shops and services, there is a daily market and a free car park with more than 700 spaces, so it offers many attractions without having to drive into the city centre.

"Also, we are very tenant conscious – tenants are our customers, so we ensure we have a good mix of tenants that can successfully compete."

Paul White, Garness Jones Associate Director for office, retail and leisure, said he is working with the other partners to strengthen North Point further.

“Since becoming involved with North Point we have helped to generate significant interest in the centre,” said Paul.

“Everybody is working together now on a strategy to take North Point forward, make sure we have a good mix of businesses that complement each other and ensure the centre continues to be prosperous.”