Atria Watford, a premier retail and leisure hub in the UK, has revealed that fashion retailer ZARA will be opening a new, larger store within the centre. The property is owned by SGS and asset-managed by Global Mutual.
The new ZARA Atria Watford store is slated to open its doors in early 2024 and will occupy a sprawling 43,000 square feet across two levels—the upper mall and mezzanine. This expansion is a significant upgrade from ZARA’s current 18,000-square-foot store at Atria Watford. The fashion retailer has committed to a 15-year lease for the new space, which is strategically located in Charter Place.
ZARA Atria Watford
Atria Watford is a significant player in the UK’s retail and leisure landscape, boasting a total area of 1.4 million square feet. The centre is a melting pot of diverse brands, ranging from small independent retailers to household names. Among its other notable tenants are NEXT, Mango, Uniqlo, and Hollister.
Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, shared his enthusiasm about the new development:
“We’re really excited that ZARA has decided to upsize and enhance its offer here at Atria Watford. This is a brand our shoppers love – and it will act as a real footfall driver as we enter the new year.”
He added, “The decision reflects the strong performance of ZARA’s existing store at the centre, as well as the strong relationship we’ve built with the team. We look forward to seeing the doors open in 2024.”
Gray also emphasized the high demand for prime retail space at Atria Watford, stating, “Prime retail space like our own remains in high demand and our pipeline for next year is already looking healthy. We look forward to giving further positive updates in the months ahead.”
ZARA is a part of the Inditex Group, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers. The brand’s decision to expand within Atria Watford aligns with its global strategy of focusing on high-footfall locations to drive sales.