Property group appoints consultancy to help with lettings at retail centre

Devonshire Property Group, a member of the Devonshire Group, has enlisted FHP Property Consultants to assist with new lettings and lease renewals at its Peak Village retail centre in Rowsley.

FHP will collaborate with Devonshire Property Group to further enhance the centre’s retail and leisure offerings, aiming to increase footfall and attract a range of local independent, luxury, and national brands.

The appointment comes as the Peak Village experiences a strong year, where Devonshire Property Group’s investments and proactive management generated £8m in turnover, marking an increase of over £4m in just three years.

Despite challenging post-pandemic trading conditions, the centre’s strategy of diversifying its offerings and incorporating a mix of independent and high-street brands has positively impacted footfall, attracting over half a million visitors.

In the past eight months alone, Peak Village has welcomed three new retailers, including, Henmores, a lifestyle and country clothing retailer from Ashbourne, Baxter & Co, a local independent business and The Derbyshire Makers, a collective of artists and makers.

Katayune Jacquin, centre manager at Peak Village, said: “Devonshire Property Group is committed to bringing the most desirable, exciting and in-demand retailers to Peak Village. Working with FHP is a crucial part of our strategy for making the centre the go-to destination for both those from the region and the many tourists who visit Derbyshire every year. The past few years have been incredibly difficult for the retail industry, and I think it’s a testament to our resilience and approach to investment that Peak Village has not only been able to weather those storms but thrive.”

Tom Wragg, associate director at FHP said: “We are excited to be working with Devonshire Property Group in supporting the evolution of Peak Village and bringing premium retailer and leisure operators into the scheme alongside exciting independent and regional businesses. At FHP we pride ourselves in being a national agent with a regional presence which puts us in a prime position to attract the right mix of operators for Peak Village. We are already seeing strong levels of interest from high quality national retailers and look forward to building on that momentum.”