The owner of Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre, Legal & General, has signed an agreement with the Borough of Poole that unlocks a £26 million programme of investment at Dorset’s largest covered shopping destination. Plans include bringing further improved retail and dining choices to the Centre.
An 18-month improvement programme by L&G is due to start in the summer for completion by the end of 2018. Work will focus on significant improvements to the internal malls and entrances, enhancement to the public realm and facades of Falkland Square and upgrading Kingland Crescent.
Alongside L&G’s investment, the Council will be investing £1.5 million into upgrading the multi-storey car park, which it owns, in addition to completing the programme of remedial works that is already underway. The Council’s investment will coincide with completion of The Dolphin Centre improvements..
Also, several leading retailers have signed up for the centre. Fashion brand New Look has increased the size of its store and German shoe retailer Deichmann is a new name to the centre.
John Grinnell, centre manager, said: “We’re delighted with these announcements. The people of Poole deserve a fantastic place where they can socialise with family and friends. By adding a range of fantastic new retailers, there is sure to be something to suit everyone’s interests. Our improvement programme will enhance the centre and add to the appeal of the town as a whole.”
The additional investment to the local authority owned multi-storey car park by the Borough of Poole will result in a facility that is better lit, easier to navigate and more welcoming.
Cllr John Challinor, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Corporate Estates for the Borough of Poole, said: “We’re delighted to have reached an agreement with our partners at Legal & General. These exciting proposals reflect our shared ambitions for the town centre and will transform it into an attractive and vibrant destination for the people of Poole.
“We want the town centre to be a place we can be proud of, reflecting the best of Poole; somewhere that people want to spend more time shopping, eating out and enjoying their leisure time. Poole town centre has enormous potential and the agreement with L&G is an important step towards our vision of making it the vibrant heart of our borough.”
The Dolphin has more than 100 retail, dining and leisure brands from independent boutiques to national names. The Centre has some 11m visitors per year accounting for two-thirds of retail sales within the town.