The 2013 Marketplace events are targeted, no-frills gatherings of like-minded property professionals. Laura Heywood finds out how leisure operators are getting in on the action.
Leisure has been at the heart of retail regeneration for more than a decade and landlords are adding value to their portfolios with entertainment and catering options.
But with new threats to shopping centres, emerging retail parks and high street destinations on an almost monthly basis, increasing dwell time with an appealing leisure offer is key.
In a bid to reflect the growing importance of leisure to retail landlords, Completely Retail Marketplace has changed the emphasis of its one-day, deals-focused event. Renamed Completely Retail & Leisure Marketplace, the focus will be on how landlords can look towards food and leisure brands to get more customers through their doors for longer.
Dom Millar, managing director of organiser Completely Group, says: “We’ve given September’s Completely Retail Marketplace a leisure twist simply to meet demand for such an event. Just like the sell-out April Marketplace there will still be a wide and varied selection of retail brands represented, but we’re now also catering for the large number of acquisitive food and beverage operators that are in the market for new space.
“Landlords are looking to attract the best restaurant and leisure operators to their schemes to help increase shopper dwell times, and we’ve got well-established names and exciting new ones attending the event. Hotel operators, cinemas and gyms are all keen to publicise their requirements too − it’s a busy sector.”
A range of leisure brands will be sponsoring, exhibiting and attending the show on September 24 at Old Spitalfields Market, London.
The format of the day is simple - get some of the UK’s leading landlords, agents and occupiers in a room together for one day and leave them to do business. With no seminars, elaborate catering or add-ons, the renamed Completely Retail & Leisure Marketplace offers an environment to pursue nothing but uninterrupted property deals.
On the same page
Creating a level playing field where everyone has the same agenda has proved a successful formula. In 2012 the inaugural event attracted 750 visitors, along with 300 retailers and more than 500 retail brands. Since then, the event has gone from strength to strength, with this April’s welcoming 1,100 delegates including 400 retailers.
And September’s event looks to be just as fruitful for landlords, agents and occupiers looking to do property deals, with all 65 stands sold out.
New location for 2014
Completely Retail Marketplace will be moving from Old Spitalfields Market to Old Billingsgate Market, on London’s Lower Thames Street in 2014. The event on Tuesday April 29, 2014 will continue to be focused on doing deals, with no change in format. As in previous years, only occupiers, agents and landlords will be eligible to attend.
The new location provides organisers with a more flexible space to accommodate everyone attending and offers the possibility of expanding the offer in the future. “We currently have over 100 companies who have expressed an interest to exhibit next year,” says Completely Group managing director Dom Millar. “The high ceilings and character of the Grade II-listed Victorian building still gives that all-important ‘marketplace’ feel.
The space is enclosed and air conditioned so everyone will be comfortable whatever the weather outside,” he adds.
Old Billingsgate Market also features a large terrace fronting the Thames with views of London Bridge, the Shard and HMS Belfast, making it “the perfect place for an after-event party”, according to Millar.
One-minute low-down
What? A one-day event for landlords, agents and occupiers to do property deals.
When? September 24, 9am to 4pm; drinks reception 4pm to 7pm
Where? Old Spitalfields Market, London
Cost? Agents, landlords and any agents acting on behalf of retailers pay £495 plus VAT to attend. The first two delegates from any occupier attend free, and additional representatives from the company pay £95 plus VAT.
More information? Contact Rebecca Sawyer on 08430 227 333 or email rebecca@crmarketplace.co.uk
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