Dundee’s retailing landscape is set to change after the Overgate confirmed it had secured two major retailers on long-term leases.
Retailer JD Sports will move into the centre’s largest unoccupied store the former Gap unit on the ground floor next spring after taking a 10-year option on the 7,175 sq ft outlet.
The move will see the closure of the company’s other two stores in the city, one on Murraygate and the other already in the Overgate centre, as it brings together its twin operations on a single site.
Warren Thompson, acquisitions managers at JD Sports, said: “Overgate Shopping Centre provides an opportunity for JD to invest in a large store in Dundee.
“The store will open in spring 2014 and allows us to consolidate trade from two existing sites in a key market for the company.”
Meanwhile, health food and supplements group Holland & Barrett has taken out a 10-year lease on a 1,900 sq ft store which will open next month.
The retailer has more than 620 outlets across the UK and Ireland including two others in the city at the Wellgate Centre and at Brook Street in Broughty Ferry.
Emma Hobbs, Holland & Barrett’s Group brand manager, said: “We look forward to welcoming new customers to our latest store.”
Katherine Armstead, senior portfolio manager for Scotland for Overgate owner Land Securities, said it was pleased to have secured the new lettings.
She said: “It’s great that we are able to announce the arrival of these two retailers to Overgate Shopping Centre.
“JD Sports is a household name on the UK high street and it’s extremely encouraging that it has decided to open a flagship store in Dundee. I’m sure this will be a firm favourite with shoppers when it opens in the New Year.
“Holland & Barrett is also an excellent addition to the centre and it will complement the wide variety of stores already trading in Overgate.”