Clas Ohlson to open Clayton Square store

Swedish retailer Clas Ohlson has taken the 26,000 sq ft store in Clayton Square formerly occupied by Zavvi in Liverpool city centre.

Clas Ohlson has agreed a ten year lease with Land Securities and will join other high street retailers at the shopping centre including recently signed Mothercare/ELC and Maplin Electronics.

John Grimes, retail leasing director for Land Securities, said: "These recent lettings to well known UK brands continue to demonstrate retailer confidence in strong city centre locations like Clayton Square. Clas Ohlson could have chosen anywhere in the UK to further their expansion, but they have selected Clayton Square for its prime position, high footfall and quality retail mix.

"This transaction has taken less than three weeks to conclude demonstrating one of the key benefits of Clearlet, Land Securities' new form of retail lease."

Clayton Square is bounded by Church Street and Parker Street, in Liverpool city centre. The property is adjacent to Land Securities other retail asset, St John's shopping centre.

Clas Ohlson will be moving into the space formerly occupied by entertainment retailer Zavvi. The Clayton Square store was one of the 22 stores Zavvi had to close earlier this year following difficulties with sourcing stock, costing 28 jobs in Liverpool.

With stores in Sweden, Norway and Finland, this will be the sixth UK store for Clas Ohlson as it embarks upon a UK expansion programme with stores already located in Croydon, Manchester, Reading, Kingston and Watford. The product range is focused on house, home, electrical, DIY, multimedia, and leisure goods.

Savills, Jones Lang LaSalle and Kenney Moore acted for Land Securities. Clas Ohlson was represented by JLL.

The quoting rents were not disclosed.