Value home and garden products retailer Wilkinson has today confirmed that it will be taking a 22,000 sq ft unit, on a 15 year lease, at the Edmonton Green shopping centre in north London.
The deal, struck between the retailer and the centre owner St. Modwen, will kick-start a major refurbishment programme planned for the mall‘s North Square section which received planning permission at the end of last year.
Wilkinson joins fellow major retailers Asda, Argos, Poundland, Sports Direct and Home Bargins in signing up to Edmonton Green, which opened its newly redeveloped South Mall in October last year after more than £1.5 million was invested in improving the space.
Gary Morris, Senior Development Manager at St. Modwen, said: “The success of our recent South Mall refurbishment and our plans for North Square are a vital part of the continuing regeneration ambitions we have for Edmonton Green.
“We have improved the environment significantly in recent years and our contributions are having an impact on the local area both economically and socially.
“Wilkinson will be an excellent addition to our retail offer at Edmonton Green and we look forward to welcoming the staff to their new store.”
Through the work already completed at the centre 100 new jobs have been added to the local economy and many more at set to follow once the £3 million upgrade work on North Square is completed later this year.
As part of the scheme the buildings which make up the centre will be elevated, there will be added street furniture & lighting and existing small units will be combined to afford space to the new Wilkinson store.
Following the completion of the first part of the refurbishment, footfall at the centre now averages around 200,000 people per week, an increase of some 10-15 per cent over the last two years.
Ian Cutts, Wilkinsons‘ head of property, commented: “Opening a brand new store in North Square later this year is an exciting prospect for Wilkinson and we‘re looking forward to becoming part of the local community in Edmonton Green.
“With our great value product ranges and our focus on providing excellent customer service, we feel that we have a great deal to offer shoppers in the town and we hope that they will enjoy the new retail experience.”
