THE COMPANIES behind a Bracknell shopping centre are celebrating a successful summer, after having let 23,500 sq ft of retail space this year.
The Lexicon is a joint venture between Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund (SCREF) and Legal & General Capital.
In recent months, they have welcomed Giggling Squid, Søstrene Grene, Robert Dyas, Five Guys, ChopStix, German Doner Kebab, Tortilla, and Mr Simms, and has now let 94% of the centre by floor area.
Thai food specialist Giggling Squid opened a new 4,750 sq ft restaurant earlier this summer.
Five Guys, the American burger chain, opened a 3,500 sq ft outlet on Braccan Walk, and ChopStix, a quick-service Pan-Asian eatery, opened its first destination in Bracknell earlier this year – and has now signed a 10-year lease for a 2,000 sq ft unit at The Lexicon.
German Doner Kebab opened a 2,000 sq ft store on the high street next to Santander. With stores already open in Reading and Slough, this new letting is a sign of the strong demand for the chain’s offerings from Berkshire residents.
Tortilla, who already operates in Reading, opened a new 700 sq ft outlet – bringing a new Mexican offering to The Lexicon.
Danish retail chain Søstrene Grene and home store Robert Dyas also opened new branches. Both are occupying units on Braccan Walk with Søstrene Grene taking 6,000 sq ft of space.
Søstrene Grene’s new, unique store concept ‘Retail for the Senses’ offers a wide assortment within home interiors, furniture, hobby items, kitchen supplies, children’s toys, speciality food and candy, gift-wrapping, and party supplies.
Mr Simms Sweet Shop opened its first outlet in Bracknell after signing a 10-year lease for a 500 sq ft unit on the high street and takes occupancy at that part of The Lexicon to almost 100%.
Established in 2004, Mr Simms has over 80 sweet shops open worldwide and offers a collection of traditional and contemporary sweets as well as Pick’n Mix.
Alongside the new arrivals, the leasing team managing The Lexicon completed lease renewals and re-gears with, among others, Fat Face, Mountain Warehouse, Flying Tiger, Timberland, Clintons, Costa, L’Occitane, and New Look.
The combination of these lease renewals and the run of new arrivals ensures The Lexicon
The Lexicon won an international retail award for its Bracknell Forest Giants attraction last year earning gold at the 2023 International Council of Shopping Centre Awards in the Experiential Single Marketplace Category – for projects totalling $200,000 or more – with the award highlighting the Giants’ ability to reflect Bracknell’s exceptional green belt.
Tom Woolven, asset manager at Schroders Capital’s Real Estate team, said: “These latest lettings and international awards demonstrate how The Lexicon’s innovative urban design has enabled the Schroders Capital team to attract leading retail and F&B brands despite a challenging retail market nationally.
“The new recent lettings, along with several exciting new arrivals due to be announced later this year, combined with the plans to further enhance the centre and a host of regular community events will ensure The Lexicon remains a thriving retail destination which continues to attract people from across the Thames Valley and beyond.”
Lunson Mitchenall and CBRE are The Lexicon’s retained letting agents.
