Castle Quarter – Norwich’s social, leisure and lifestyle destination – is to be the home of the city’s first dedicated Korean supermarket. Itaewon has taken unit 12 at Castle Quarter, totalling 1,664sq ft, on a new 10-year lease. With increasing numbers of Korean students attending the University of East Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts, the new supermarket is bound to appeal to them as well as foodies looking for something a little different.
Two further names have also signed at the destination as Castle Quarter expands its grocery retail offer. Vegan butcher Vishcakes & Vibs, already a supplier to the Hank’s Dirty restaurant in the scheme, has agreed a six-month trial for a 792sq ft store, while Candy Galore has taken 1,462sq ft space on a one-year lease.
Castle Quarter has recently seen record footfall, with visitor numbers for the year to date 10.7% higher than the same period in 2022, comparing favourably with both the East of England region (+5.2%) and the UK as a whole (+4.8%). Turnover for the year to October 2023 was 22.4% above the previous 12 months. Average dwell time has increased, and trading hours extended, following the opening of more social and leisure operators.
Will Ashdown, asset manager at RivingtonHark, said: “Food retail is a key part of the overall offer of any city centre location, and these new arrivals cement Castle Quarter’s position as Norwich’s leading destination. Together with the leisure, dining and entertainment options on offer, we are given people multiple reasons to visit, and this is reflected in the recent trading success of the scheme.”
