Final tenant secured at Swansea retail park

A popular Swansea retail park is now fully let after a clothing and furniture recycling retailer secured the last available unit.

Swansea Recycling and Donation Centre Ltd has signed a 10-year lease for unit 1b (5,000 sq ft) at Lion Way Retail Park. The site, owned by Worcestershire-based Barberry Developments, is located just north of Swansea city centre on the established Swansea Enterprise Park with excellent access to M4 junctions 44/45.

The company sells donated clothing and recycled furniture. The unit will comprise a retail area, sorting area, an office, café and a second-hand book store. The café will also host charity coffee mornings with proceeds going to local good causes.

Development surveyor Alex Watson, of Worcestershire-based Barberry Developments, said: “We are delighted to welcome Swansea Recycling and Donation Centre Ltd to Lion Way Retail Park as it looks to generate much-needed funds for local charities.

“It also means Lion Way Retail Park is now fully let following two deals secured in the last quarter, including flooring retailer Flooring Masters Wales Ltd, which signed a 10-year lease for unit 2b (6,150 sq ft) in August.”

Ian Hart, owner of Swansea Recycling and Donation Centre Ltd, said: “Lion Way is a prime retail spot for price conscious customers, with many discount retailers nearby. In the current economic climate many people are adopting a ‘make do and mend’ attitude so they aren’t spending as much money on new furniture and clothes. We also buy in second hand furniture to restore and repair it to offer customers the products they need at affordable prices.

“The retail park is a popular shopping destination with ample car parking facilities, which will encourage a high footfall. Accessibility to the site is good and the unit benefits from a roller door at the back, which allows us to unload our van collections easily.”

Barberry, which acquired Lion Way Retail Park in 2008, has been working with existing tenants to considerably improve the layout and configuration of the car park and landscaping areas. While the retail park has always been popular the improvements have further boosted trading activity. The area is already an established retail destination with nearby retailers including Tesco Extra, Halfords, PC World and Smyths Toys.

Barberry also owns Phoenix Retail Park – located opposite Lion Way Retail Park – which enjoyed success recently after securing a 15-year lease with frozen food specialist Iceland for unit three (6,000 sq ft). Since purchase, Barberry has carried out an extensive refurbishment of the retail park including replacing external cladding, internal refurbishment and improved access and car park layout.

There is now only one 19,250 sq ft unit available to let at Phoenix Retail Park.