PROGRESS AT LEEGATE AS ST. MODWEN COMPLETES FIVE NEW DEALS

St. Modwen, owner of Leegate Shopping Centre in Lewisham, south London, has signed a raft of new deals at the site. The UK’s leading regeneration specialist has completed five deals at the 129,000 sq ft centre to let a total of 6,139 sq ft retail and office space.

Hillcrest Care, which provides short-term residential care to children in England and Wales, are taking 1,275 sq ft at Leegate House, the 26,000 sq ft office building above the shopping centre which also accommodates Lewisham Primary Care Trust.

Within the main retail precinct, St. Modwen has completed deals on vacant premises with Shalom Family Centre, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, and theatre and education charity MakeBelieve Arts. An Independent Afro-Caribbean food store has also signed up, taking over vacant premises on Burnt Ash Road and recently opening for trade. The new lettings will be a boost for local residents, strengthening the Leegate Centre’s role as a hub for neighbourhood shopping, local businesses and other community-based organisations.

Killian Morris, senior development manager at St. Modwen, said: “These new deals at Leegate Shopping Centre are positive news, providing new businesses to sit alongside anchor tenants including Iceland and JD Wetherspoon. The lettings signal real progress and point to a strong requirement for well-located, affordable retail and office premises on flexible leases whilst we explore the options for longer term regeneration”.

“Our letting to Hillcrest Care to take office space at Leegate House shows that occupiers are recognising the site as a strategic and cost-effective location to do business. The signing of Hillcrest should encourage other businesses to take advantage of the available office space at Leegate House.”

St. Modwen’s long-term objective for the site is to regenerate the area, creating a vibrant mixed-use community hub to include new retail, residential and commercial space.

Killian added: “We are currently in discussions with Lewisham Council and other stakeholders about possible proposals for the long-term regeneration of Leegate. We look forward to working with all local parties to bring forward plans for an exciting redevelopment scheme.”