Now fashion giant signs up for Southgate centre

High street fashion retailer New Look has become the latest firmto sign up to Bath's pounds360 million SouthGate centre.

Around 50 jobs will be created when the chain opens a two-storey, 20,000sq ft (1,858sq m) store as part of the first phase ofthe development due to open in November.

New Look will join fellow fashion giant H&M and pharmacist Bootsin the first wave of shops.

The firm is the first new name to be announced for the shoppingcentre for several months and the news from developer MultiDevelopment UK provides hope that the scheme can overcome the HighStreet recession.

New Look will begin trading from SouthGate's Block C, which is atthe corner of Southgate Street and Dorchester Street.

Company spokeswoman Amanda Herron said it had long wanted to opena store in the city: "We are delighted to have finally securedrepresentation in Bath, our last remaining major outstandingrequirement."

New Look opened its first store in Taunton in 1969 and now hasstores across the country and in the Republic of Ireland, France,Belgium and Dubai.

It has been linked to celebrities including Kelly Brook, FearneCotton and Lily Allen who have all taken part in marketing campaignsfor the firm.

The nearest New Look stores are in Keynsham, Bristol, Chippenhamand Trowbridge.

Multi leasing director Stuart Harris said it was delighted tohave secured the firm.

He said: "We have lots of offers and interest on remaining unitsfrom more great brands. Everybody who comes to Bath is wowed by thequality of our development and the strength of Bath as a tradinglocation."

SouthGate's retail areas will continue in two further phases withthe next opening in spring 2010 and a 125,000sq ft (11,613sq m)flagship Debenhams store later that year.

Developers are close to completing work on the first part of apounds23 million transport interchange adjacent to the site with apounds13 million bus station and a pounds10 million revamp of BathSpa railway station.

The bus station, which has caused controversy over its design, isdue to receive its first passengers in June this year. SouthGatewill also feature 99 apartments, including 23 affordable homes, aswell as an underground car park for 860 vehicles.

King Sturge partner Mike McElhinney, who specialises in retailproperty, said there were many firms looking at opening shops in thecity centre.

He said: "Bath in particular benefits from the vibrancy of itseconomy.

"When retailers come to Bath they are blown away by the fact thatit feels lively and active.

"When things are tough, people are drawn to places that give thema lift.

"If you have got a choice between going to a nice little placelike Bath with attractive shops, people and environment then you areprobably going to feel a bit more uplifted shopping here than youwould in more concrete shopping centres in other towns in thecountry. It has got a lot of strings to its bow."