Major shopping centre’s future secured after deal struck

The future of Stoke-on-Trent’s biggest shopping centre has been secured after a deal was struck following the collapse of intu Properties in June.

Concluding the transition of management services of The Potteries Centre from intu, property management company MAPP has been appointed to support the existing centre team.

Specialist investment manager APAM will assume asset management responsibilities.

MAPP and APAM said the new arrangement will ensure that The Potteries Centre continues to attract new investment and remain a thriving destination with over 80 stores and restaurants.

The centre will continue to operate under intu branding ahead of a revamp later this year and will retain the historic Potteries name.

The rebrand will include a new logo, external signage and website.

Nigel Mapp, CEO at MAPP and Simon Cooke, executive director at APAM, said: “We are very much looking forward to working with the outstanding onsite team at the Potteries Centre to reposition the centre not just for retail but as a cultural centre and community hub that will make Stoke on Trent proud.”

Amy Whittaker, general manager for The Potteries Centre, said: “This is a really exciting time for the centre. We have always prided ourselves on creating a complete day-out experience for all our visitors and this transition means we can carry on doing just that. As we embark on this new chapter, we look forward to welcoming visitors old and new and to ensuring The Potteries Centre remains a great place they can continue to enjoy.”

Jim Tucker, partner at KPMG and joint administrator of intu properties, added: “We are now midway through our migration timetable, with further centres set to transition to new management in the days and weeks ahead. We thank the team at The Potteries Centre for all their support during the administration process and wish them well as they embark on this new chapter.”

The news comes weeks after Ellandi, the operator of shopping centres, was appointed as the new asset manager for intu Merry Hill.

The company will oversee the operation and development of intu Merry Hill on behalf of the consortium of banks that own the centre.

Ellandi, which operates over 30 shopping centres across the UK, confirmed that intu Merry Hill will continue to receive investment.

The centre will continue to be known as intu Merry Hill for an interim period. It will be rebranded in 2021.

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