Intu Watford to undergo £100m makeover

The town’s main shopping centre has announced a number of new deals as it prepares for a £100 million makeover. Intu Watford, formerly known as the Harlequin, has announced that popular fashion retailer Fat Face will open in the centre as well as other new shops. JD Sports will be upsized and relocated after signing a 10 year lease on a 6,347 square foot store on the lower mall, next to the refitted Primark and HMV. The relocation of the store offers over a 50 per cent larger space than the retailer’s previous unit.        Fat Face is set to open a 4,045 square foot unit, located opposite John Lewis, having signed a 10 year lease. Intu Watford has also recently exchanged on stores for Watch Warehouse and Soletrader, as well as signing a lease renewal for Goldsmiths. The latest deals follow on from the 2013 openings of Little Waitrose in John Lewis, Ed’s Easy Diner, L’Occitane, Paperchase, Boux Avenue and HMV, as well as the upsizing of Next and Ernest Jones. Howard Oldstein, general manager of intu Watford, said: “We’re having lots of conversations with retailers and operators who want to join intu Watford in anticipation of our exciting development plans for the centre. Intu Watford is getting bigger and better, and retailers want to be part of our buzzing, vibrant destination.” Both JD Sports and Fat Face are expected to open their new stores early this summer.   Photo by Hoss Photography