Five new retailers boost occupancy at Whitewater centre to 2006 levels

Five retailers are to open at Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, Co Kildare bringing the centre's occupancy to its highest level since opening in 2006.

Joint letting agents Bannon and Savills have secured Apple premium reseller iConnect as tenant for a 146sq m (1,572sq ft) store on a 10-year lease to include a base rent and turnover arrangement, with an initial seven-month rent-free period.

Carraig Donn has upsized to a larger store within the centre. It has taken a 10-year lease on a 235sq m (2,530sq ft) store. The designer clothing retailer will also trade on a base rent and turnover arrangement.

Discount retailer Euro Giant is to take a 10-year lease on a 525sq m (5,651sq ft) store at about €120,000 per annum. Its store will open for Easter.

In addition, the former Monsoon unit has been subdivided to accommodate Kilkenny Design (in a store of 272sq m (2,928sq ft) on a 15-year lease at a rent of around €115,000 per annum and music retailer Golden Discs, which will take 156sq m (1,679sq ft) on a five-year lease at a rent of around €55,000 per annum, after an initial six-month, rent- free period.

Technology and home entertainment retailer Complete Entertainment Exchange is to take a unit at the entrance to the centre with 72sq m (775sq ft) on a 10-year lease at a rent of around €40,000.

Kiosk retailers Sky and Johnnie Cupcakes have taken space on four-year and nine-month leases.

Daniel McLaughlin of Bannon, who acted jointly with Savills on behalf of the landlord, said: “These lettings are part of an ongoing strategy to improve the tenant mix in the Whitewater Shopping Centre. These lettings will further boost the centre’s appeal to customers and will further expand Whitewater’s regional draw.”