The recent and proposed regerneration of Hackney Central has seen the area transform into a fashion retailers hot spot. The Burberry factory outlet store at Chatham Place saw a baffling 600,000 people walk through its doors this year, with thousands of tourists flocking to the shop in search of bargain deals.
Now Hackney Council have plans to capitalise on Burberry’s success by turning this corner of the East End into a retail and fashion hub similar to that of the Bicester Outlet Village in Oxfordshire. Bicester Village features prestige brands like Prada, Gucci and Dior and attracted 5.5 million visitors last year – 2/3 of which resided outside of the UK.
The transformation is already in progress. Pringle have recently opened an outlet store in the retail space previously occupied by The Duke of Wellington pub, and the 21 dilapidated railway arches are currently being converted into retail shops.
Hackney Central is swiftly becoming a destination town centre with over 100,000 people a year visiting the area for the Hackney Empire alone. With the opening of the Hackney Picturehouse cinema on Mare Street, this number is expected to increase dramatically.
Hackney Council have been granted £5.3 million from the Mayor of London’s Regeneration Fund to make major improvements to the Hackney Central area. Their investment in this retail scheme will see the creation of up to 200 jobs and attract more visitors and invetsment to the borough.
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