Institutional landlord Landsec has received approval for a £17m investment in a new pedestrianised city square in Cardiff.
The planning approval was received after a long process involving over 5,000 Cardiff residents – many of which wanted high-quality leisure experiences, green spaces, and family-friendly environments.
St David’s shopping centre is integral to Cardiff, accounting for 64% of the city’s retail offering and boasting annual footfall of over 30 million.
More retailers are choosing to set up shop in the centre with Pull & Bear, Sosandar and Søstrene Grene making their Welsh debut there in late 2024.
Retail Week speaks to Landsec’s head of retail brand account management Pablo Sueiras and asset management director Andrew Russell to find out what is being planned for the new space.
A new offer
To enhance the city’s offer of retail, hospitality and leisure, Landsec bought a 102,000 sq ft empty Debenhams unit in 2023 specifically to create a new city square.
“We really saw an opportunity to improve the visitor experience by creating more of a public space,” said Sueiras.
“The aim is to give people quality space to dwell in, and improve the visiting experience so that they return time and time again.”
Russell says there are several elements to the new square. A space for families with a water splash area, an event space for entertainment, quality landscaping with planted trees, and green space.
“There’ll be some commercial elements to bolster the square,” he says.
“Two new restaurants, cafes and terraces, kiosk-type smaller units and a leisure space within that area.”
To utilise the open space all year round, there’s flexibility to have all sorts of events to drive dwell time, visitation and repeat visitors. Sueiras says this could be in the form of a market, a space for performances, or something seasonal tied into Christmas or summer.
The approval could not have been completed without the input from over 5,000 Cardiff residents – which led to the discovery that 57% of St David’s visitors are families.
“(Residents) wanted playground space, a place to dwell, space that they could rest and relax, and kids can run around,” says Russell. “It’s a great city, but it’s a busy city with not many places to sit and recharge.”
The new family play area, event space, and hospitality and leisure offering will be among existing stores at St David’s which hosts a range of high street staples, premium retailers, restaurants, and grab-and-go offerings.
Both say the existing units will “complement” the new square, and ultimately drive footfall, sales, and create an “all-round experience” that will benefit current tenants as well as new.
Bulldozers and wrecking balls are on site as the demolition of Debenhams is in motion – with the square expected to be complete by summer 2026.
Cardiff is not a one-off, as Landsec confirmed it is making wider investments in its top shopping centres. “We believe in the potential and long-term opportunities of the very top and best destinations in the UK,” says Sueiras.
“We’re long-term believers in physical retail and their top locations, so we’re looking to invest and build on their success and continue to maintain that.”
Landsec owns and manages the likes of Bluewater in Kent, Trinity in Leeds, Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow, and Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth. “Those are our biggest centres where we are committing £100m over the next three years to improve the experience and proposition,” Sueiras continues.
“We’re ultimately doing this to provide the best possible experience in a physical environment and drive visitation.”
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