Club Doncaster official partner, Frenchgate Shopping Centre is in talks with two ‘well-known’ brands after receiving planning permission for a 15,000 sq ft cinema multiplex.
Work on the £8 million investment will begin later this year – ahead of a spring 2020 opening – after Frenchgate became the first shopping centre in the UK to achieve a change of use from retail to leisure for a former British Home Stores unit.
Earlier this year, American multinational Dunkin’ Donuts described Frenchgate as the ‘ideal location’ for its fifth franchised UK store after opening in April on the shopping centre’s popular ‘Eat Street’ food mall.
Now Frenchgate’s commercial manager Daniel Matters is encouraging small businesses looking to maximise sales and increase brand exposure to find their own ideal space at the centre.
Daniel said: “Thanks to our prime position in the heart of Doncaster, we have excellent connections with the major transportation hub which provides easy access to a large regional catchment.
“1.6millon people live within Frenchgate’s catchment area and we have 19.6million visitors each year, and 375,000 each week.
“With over 8,000 sq ft available, we can offer short-term licence agreements through to long-term, as well as the offer option to hire one of our Retail Merchandising Units (RMUs). We can offer a range of different commercial packages which can be tweaked and tailored to suit just about any budget and time frame.”
Frenchgate’s commercial space is not restricted to retailers, either – there’s also office space available to rent as well as meeting rooms and space to hire for events and workshops.
Retailers and businesses also stand to benefit from the centre’s promotional and marketing activity, too. Frenchgate was the only shopping centre in South Yorkshire to be successful at the Revo Purple Apple Marketing Awards this year, which recognise and reward effective shopping and town centre marketing within the UK retail property sector.
Daniel said: “We won for the popular Rich Seam exhibition which featured work from an international artist and sculptor situated in a vacant retail unit, which judges described as ‘a great creative partnership that really resonates with the local community’ and use of an empty shop unit.
“Our festive campaign with Age UK Doncaster, meanwhile, delivered a commercial yet emotive campaign, delivering key retail messages with a community focus. Customer spends increased, dwell time increased from 73 minutes to 87 minutes and we created a legacy for the charity, too, continuing into 2019 with our current #FrenchgateShareYourHappy campaign.
“All of which means we’re confident in saying Frenchgate Centre is the best place to showcase your latest products and promotions to an audience larger than any other in Doncaster!”
For more information contact Commercialisation Manager Daniel Matters at Frenchgate Centre Management Office on 01302 388099, email Daniel.Matters@frenchgateshopping.co.uk or visit www.frenchgateshopping.co.uk/centre-info/commercial-lettings-opportunities.
To find out more about becoming a Club Doncaster Partner, please contact sophie.scargill@clubdoncaster.co.uk