Rantings of a London Buyer’s Agent

Am I unique among those with no say in the matter in thinking that neither Piccadilly Circus nor Regent Street is suitable for TK Maxx?  We are talking about St James afer all.  Just because some of the low-life have been moved on from the crime-ridden Trocadero centre on the north side of Piccadilly Circus is no excuse to lower the tone at the bottom of Regent Street. 

The Crown Estate must be applauded for this decision.  Look at how Marylebone High Street has flourished under the careful stewardship of the Howard De Walden estate.  By looking at the ethos and offering of potential tenants and avoiding offering space to the highest bidder the landlords have nurtured a village atmosphere with unique useful shops and restaurants which provide high quality service and have in turn ensured the survival of an area which looked to be in peril twenty years ago.  Chi chi boutiques nestle amongst divine local restaurants and while the chains have moved in, the De Walden estate has managed to retain enough small retailers to create a very different and welcome shopping experience than is enjoyed(?) on nearby Oxford Street.

The Crown Estate is absolutely right to refuse a lease to TK Maxx.  This is a fabulous part of London which should strive to hold it’s place as one of the top places to visit in the capital.  Since Lillywhites was bought out a few years ago, sadly it has ceased to be a centre of excellence for sporting goods.  Instead the famous store looks like any other mass sports shop, more readily at home on New Oxford Street or an out of town retail site, with it’s huge posters promoting 20% off or free tat if you deign to enter.  In my view they should be relegated to Tottenham Court Road or made to smarten up. 

In my capacity as a London Buyer’s Agent, I was approached by a couple who wanted to live near Piccadilly Circus during their two year stay in the UK.  We were retained while they were still abroad and they were delighted to hear that we had found a flat overlooking Eros.  When they arrived in the UK and we conducted our first tour, no sooner had we reached the bottom of Regent Street when they rapidly realised that maybe the quieter surrounding streets may be more conducive to family life.  They loved the gentleman’s retailers on Jermyn Street and remembered Regent Street as the home to Austin Reed and Aquascutum – in their mind, the larger Ladies and Gentleman’s department stores: in my mind a vision which should to some extent be retained.  Certainly there is a place for TK Maxx in central London – but Regent’s Street: I think not.  I wonder if they will fare better on Kensington High Street or the King’s Road?  Watch this space for the London Buyer’s Agent view of inappropriate commercial tenants in exclusive London estates.

Technorati Tags: London Buyer's Agent, Piccadilly Circus property, Regent Street property, St James's property, TK Maxx

Tags: London Buyer's Agent, Piccadilly Circus property, Regent Street property, St James's property, TK Maxx