Cardiff, August 2024 – Landsec has unveiled ambitious plans to redevelop the former Debenhams unit at St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff into a vibrant new outdoor space. The £17 million investment aims to create a 102,000 square foot area designed to offer new opportunities for brands and enhance public access to nature and recreational spaces.
The proposed development will feature two new restaurants, smaller kiosk-style food outlets, and a leisure area, creating a dynamic and inviting environment for shoppers and visitors. The transformation is part of Landsec’s strategy to revitalise urban retail spaces by integrating nature and play into shopping experiences.
In addition to the Cardiff project, Landsec has also submitted plans for a £15 million expansion of its Trinity Kitchen food court concept at Trinity Leeds. Known for its rotating selection of food trucks and permanent eateries, Trinity Kitchen has attracted over 800,000 visitors annually since its inception in 2013. The expansion will repurpose an under-utilised retail area into a 72,000 square foot hospitality destination, complete with a new outdoor terrace offering views over Leeds.
Nik Porter, Head of Retail Asset Management at Landsec, highlighted the strong performance of both centres: “Trinity Leeds and St David’s Cardiff both continually outperform industry benchmarks for footfall and have occupancy rates over 94%. By enhancing the guest experience, we’ll increase footfall and dwell time, which in turn will attract more brands to the centres while also boosting the performance of those already present.”
Earlier this year, Landsec received planning permission for the second phase of its £45 million investment into the Gunwharf Quays outlet shopping destination, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to transforming retail spaces across the UK.
The redevelopment of the former Debenhams site at St David’s marks a significant step in Landsec’s ongoing efforts to innovate and modernise shopping environments, offering a blend of retail, dining, and leisure that appeals to a broad range of visitors.