O2 - Retail - London NW3, Finchley Road
Date: 05 May 1998
Even before it opens, Books etc. has doubled the size of its unit at O2, the 27,156 sq m (292,308 sq ft) leisure and retail scheme currently being developed by Burford Group PLC on a site adjacent to the Finchley Road, London NW3. The centre is due to open in October 1998.
Books etc. has acquired an additional unit adjacent to its existing site located on Level 1 (at grade with Finchley Road) to create a 1,012 sq m (10,900 sq ft) store. The expansion takes Books etc. from an original unit of 493 sq m (5,304 sq ft) and means that the spacious lifestyle bookstore will include a stationery department and a Seattle Coffee shop in addition to around 50,000 book titles.
Customers will be encouraged to browse among the bookshelves, in the coffee shop or on comfortable sofas scattered around the departments. As with the bookstore, the coffee shop will also open on to the OO2'S stunning central destination space.
Books etc. is paying £217,710 per annum for a 25-year lease. The retailer's expansion, which includes (250 sq m) 2,700 sq ft of tenant mezzanine, is a recognition of the scheme's strength - both in its location and offer.
"As part of our planned expansion programme we have been looking at towns and cities all over the country," said Books etc. managing director John Monk. "We have been fortunate to secure a prime site in this dynamic and well located development which will allow us to bring our unique style of bookselling to this area of London."
OO2 is anchored by an eight-screen Warner Village Cinema, a 5,125 sq m (55,171 sq ft) Esporta health & fitness centre as well as a 7,435 sq m (80,031 sq ft) Sainsbury's supermarket. The latter is located on the lower ground level (Level 0) of the centre which, by dint of sloping site, has its main entrance facing at grade onto the scheme's 561-space surface-level car park.
Books etc. is the other main retail anchor within O2'S main, three-level structure. Babe Ruth's, Dome, Greene King and Ed's Easy Diner have already acquired units and a number of other restaurant deals are close to completion.
A 3,818 sq m (41,061 sq ft) Homebase DIY store will be located on a stand- alone site at the western end of the scheme at the other side of the car park.
Burford's letting agents are Healey & Baker (0171 629 9292) and Chase & Partners (0171 331 6999) and its restaurant consultants are Shelley Sandzer & Co (0171 580 3366). Books etc was represented by Reid Rose Gregory (0171 493 4242) and Jones Lang Wootton (0171 493 6040).
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