Lakeside, Metrocentre, Norwich and Nottingham outlets to close
Following the breakdown of talks between Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct International, owner of the ailing House of Fraser department store chain, and intu, all HoF stores on intu sites are to close after Christmas.
Ashley said the intu had refused to accept his offer of reduced rent on the stores. “We were no further forward after 14 weeks. Unfortunately, these stores now face closing in the New Year. I urge other institutional landlords to be more proactive to help save the HoF stores in their schemes,” he said.
Intu pointed out that the stores, totalling 526,000 sq ft, account for just 1% its rent roll. “We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to re-engineer and re-let this underperforming space to new and exciting alternatives,” it was reported as saying.
