Hermes Investment Management has completed the signing of five new tenants at its 300,000 sq ft Royal Victoria Place (RVP) shopping centre in Tunbridge Wells.
The new lettings follow a highly successful year for RVP, which has recorded twelve months of unbroken sales growth, to reinforce its position as the prime retail destination in West Kent.
International jewellery brand Swarovski is taking a 560 sq ft unit on the upper level of the centre, opposite Hotel Chocolat and The Perfume Shop. The high-end jeweller has signed a 10-year lease at RVP, adding to its continually expanding international portfolio which now comprises around 2,560 stores in 170 countries.
Swarovski will be joined by Silvermine, an independent retailer specialising in jewellery mainly designed using precious and semi-precious stones. Silvermine is taking a 364 sq ft store close to the FiveWays entrance to RVP.
Expanding the existing food and beverage offer at the centre is Fuel Juice, the leading juice operator which already has a presence in over 20 shopping centres in the UK. Fuel Juice has agreed terms on a 331 sq ft unit in Five Ways Mall.
Independent ‘mixologist’ store Bluebird Tea is also heading for RVP, where it will take a substantial 1,014 sq ft unit on the ground floor. The growing retailer, which was originally established in Brighton, specialises in creating an extensive and unusual range of loose leaf tea blends.
Completing the raft of new occupiers – who will all be open in time for the busy Christmas trading period – is independent toyshop Whirligig, which also originated in Brighton. Whirligig has taken a 368 sq ft unit on the ground floor of RVP, opposite the new Silvermine store.
The latest additions to RVP’s tenant line-up strengthen an already enviable retail offer, anchored by Fenwick and M&S. The retail line-up also features French Connection, Hobbs, L’Occitane en Provence and Oliver Bonas.
Nicky Blanchard, Centre Manager of RVP, said: “These new lettings really demonstrate the breadth of offer for shoppers at RVP, and the successful momentum we have built up.
“The mix of established global brands such as Swarovski and independent retailers like Silvermine and Whirligig will strengthen our appeal as a shopping centre unlike any other, while the addition of high quality F&B brands further adds to the diverse tenant mix at West Kent’s leading shopping centre”.
CBRE and Colliers International advised Hermes.
