The Liberty Romford, the shopping centre owned and operated by Redical, has announced the opening of globally renowned sandwich chain, Pret A Manger, and independent coffee pioneer, Black Sheep Coffee. This move reaffirms the positive advancements and market momentum the destination is experiencing following its strategic transformation and elevation.
Marking London borough debuts for the two operators, Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee join a portfolio of international, best of British, and independent operators at The Liberty Romford. Located in a prominent corner unit between Stewards Walk and Lockwood Walk, the new Pret A Manger measures 4,100 sq ft, while the new Black Sheep Coffee measures 3,300 sq ft and overlooks the heart of the destination, Liberty Square. Both operators will benefit from The Liberty Romford’s strong annual footfall of 13.6 million and high dwell time, which exceeds comparable shopping centre benchmarks by 21%.
The Liberty Romford is the number one London satellite shopping centre out of thirteen for retail spend opportunity, amounting to £247 million. The centre’s strong annual footfall and high dwell time further support the success of these new openings.
Oliver Lloyd, Leasing Director at The Liberty Romford, commented: “As the number one satellite shopping centre in London and the dominant scheme in Romford, it makes complete sense that market-leaders Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee have chosen to open with us. Under the centre’s new Redical ownership and leadership, we’re starting to unlock the full commercial potential of the destination and are actively looking to develop and enhance the centre’s F&B offering, catering to our highly engaged catchment. Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee are two best-in-class brands, which have jumpstarted The Liberty Romford’s F&B elevation.”
The Liberty Romford’s evolution was kickstarted in 2022 after its purchase and significant investment by industry disruptors, Redical. Following the implementation of its multi-year centre improvement budget of £7 million, the destination has already welcomed noteworthy placemaking enhancements, including frictionless car parking, CCTV and cleaning upgrades, and a new centre management suite. A new brand identity and destination refresh will soon be revealed on the new entranceways and wayfinding signage, signifying to the market the active step change at the destination.
The addition of Pret A Manger and Black Sheep Coffee aligns with the centre’s vision of providing a diverse and high-quality F&B offering to cater to the needs of its vibrant and engaged community. Pret A Manger, renowned for its freshly made sandwiches, salads, and organic coffee, will bring its well-loved menu to the shoppers and visitors of The Liberty Romford. This new location will offer Pret’s signature range of products, which are prepared on-site daily, ensuring the highest quality and freshness.
Black Sheep Coffee, known for its commitment to ethical sourcing and innovative coffee blends, will enhance the centre’s coffee culture. With a reputation for providing a unique and premium coffee experience, Black Sheep Coffee will offer a variety of specialty drinks, along with a selection of freshly baked pastries and snacks. This opening marks a significant milestone for Black Sheep Coffee, expanding its footprint in London and reaching new customers in the bustling area of Romford.
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