Victoria Gate shopping centre represents a significant enhancement to the shopping mix in Leeds and will provide the largest John Lewis store in the north of England.

Coupled with this major retail anchor, the scheme has been developed to complement the existing offer of the Victoria Quarter, with it’s high quality designer brand offerings. Undertaken by Hammerson UK plc, phase 1 is now on site and is due to complete in 2017. With Phase 2 programmed to progress thereafter.

A key member of Aspire historically acted as lead development consultant on this significant City Centre scheme. Key responsibilities included development feasibility, land acquisition negotiations/CPO, anchor store negotiations and project management.

As a landmark element of the Leeds City Centre regeneration programme, this complex development has been decades in the making, overcoming market challenges, evolving shopping patterns and competing retail schemes.

With planning consent achieved during the financial crisis, Aspire advised Hammerson on the optimum investment position to adopt, recommending a phased approach to take into consideration the changing market dynamics. This strategy enabled Hammerson to de-risk the development, bringing forward the key John Lewis store and accompanying retail offerings which in turn provided the critical mass required to initiate Phase 1.

Aspire with its Client instigated the proposal from inception, bringing forward the critical mass required to deliver a strong planning consent and buy in from City Authorties for this significant retail offer.