THE NEW owners of Freshney Place Shopping Centre, in Grimsby, have vowed to ensure the town's premier retail destination continues to meet the needs of shoppers in North East Lincolnshire.
F&C REIT Asset Management has bought the 500,000sq ft centre from Grosvenor as part of a deal totalling nearly £250 million.
The sale came as negotiations continue with an unnamed major retailer about a possible move to the centre, which is being extended as part of an £6 million revamp of Grimsby town centre.
Joanne Wilkes, head of In Town Retail at F&C REIT, said: "We are delighted to be taking an active role in one of the country's top shopping destinations and look forward to working with our customers and the local business community to ensure Freshney Place is managed and developed with everyone's best interests at heart.
"We are confident that we can use our expertise to strengthen the centre's position as the retail centrepiece of the region and we will be engaging closely with North East Lincolnshire Council in an effort to do so."
Amanda Austin, centre director at Freshney Place, said: "We have been working now for over a month with the new owner to strengthen the centre's position as the retail centrepiece of the region.
"We feel that their expertise in shopping centre management will greatly aid future developments and ensure that Freshney Place remains a major visitor attraction.
"We have no confirmation about new retailers at the centre, but are working with the council and F&C REIT to ensure the best for our shoppers."
Jason Longhurst, head of development at NELC, said: "We have been clear that there is a desire to explore development opportunities in this part of the town centre to complement the Local Sustainable Transport Fund project. The council has met with the new owners and whilst it is early days, we are discussing a variety of potential development options with them."
