CBRE Investment Management has announced Primark, the multinational fashion retailer, is set to join the Ashley Centre, Epsom’s premier shopping destination. This coincides with the centre undergoing its £7 million refurbishment, which is set to see significant upgrades to the scheme, including a refreshed interior and a new external entrance. 

Primark will occupy 44,000 sq ft in the former House of Fraser space, utilising two floors and sitting adjacent to the scheme’s central square near retailers such as JD. Serving as the destination’s anchor tenant, the new store will feature Primark’s full offer, incorporating menswear, womenswear and childrenswear, as well as accessories, beauty, home, and lifestyle. The store is expected to create around 100 jobs and is set to open in early 2025. 

The new store complements CBRE IM’s £7 million refurbishment programme, which is reconstructing the external East entrance, implementing enhancements to Central Square to create a more modern and contemporary interior, and adding new signage and wayfinding across the centre. The refurbishment is due to be completed later this summer. 

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Louisa Butters, Head of Retail Asset Management UK at CBRE IM, commented: “Primark’s signing is a significant moment for the Ashley Centre. The opening will mark another milestone in our repositioning project that underpins our long-term strategy for the revitalisation of the Ashley Centre, ensuring that it continues to serve the needs of the community in every way possible. We look forward to delivering an optimized and enhanced experience and environment for our visitors and reap the benefits of our large-scale refurbishment.”

Philippa Nibbs, Director of Sales UK, London and the South East at Primark, also said: “As we continue to invest in the UK high street, we are delighted to announce our new store in Epsom that will open next year. We look forward to becoming a part of this community and playing a central role in the refurbished Ashley Centre.”

In 2023, the Ashley Centre welcomed a raft of new openings such as JD, Deichmann, and GAIL’s Bakery, forming a key part of the centre’s leasing strategy to evolve its retail and F&B offer.