Cath Kidston and Wagamama head to Trafford Centre

TRAFFORD Centre owner Intu Properties has announced a number of lettings as it updated investors on performance.

The listed company, which owns out-of-town retail malls in this country and also Spain, said it had completed 44 long-term leases worth £7m in rent in the four months to May 6.

At the Trafford Centre, these include a 2,100 sq ft unit to lifestyle brand Cath Kidston. The retailer will be positioned on the upper mall close to Selfridges, Victoria’s Secret, Hugo Boss and Banana Republic.

Sue Childer, marketing director of Cath Kidston, said: “We’re really excited to be opening a new store at intu Trafford Centre and believe it’s a great location for us. We are a British lifestyle brand so it makes sense that we have a presence in one of the most established and recognised shopping centres in the country.”

Julian Wilkinson, regional director of intu, added: “The addition of a top brand like Cath Kidston really adds to the centre’s appeal, giving customers even more reasons to visit.”

Adding to the dining mix at the Trafford Centre will be Wagamama and Coast to Coast, the company said.

Elsewhere, Intu said its key operating metrics are “stable”, with year-on-year footfall to date unchanged and occupancy marginally reduced since 31 December 2014 from 95 per cent to 94 per cent reflecting seasonal fluctuations since Christmas.

Chief executive David Fischel, said: “The continuing improvement in the letting market and overall performance at centre level are encouraging. We are moving forward strongly on a number of fronts and particularly with our active development projects both in the UK and Spain.”