Rochdale’s Wheatsheaf to close permanently

MCR Property Group has decided to shut its 163,000 sq ft shopping centre for good at the end of the lockdown, citing a persistently challenging retail environment.

The developer and operator purchased The Wheatsheaf in Rochdale from Longacre Properties for an undisclosed sum in 2017.

It has since unveiled plans to repurpose and expand the retail complex to attract a fresh influx of leisure, commercial and retail uses to complement the existing occupiers. The proposed extension was to adjoin the emerging £100m Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure scheme, being delivered by council regeneration body the Rochdale Development Agency. Contractor Willmott Dixon was appointed to deliver the second phase of works last month.

MCR said this week “the nationwide shift in shopping habits has changed the retail landscape, with consumers choosing to shop online rather than visit town centres.

“Furthermore, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has expedited this migration from traditional shopping habits and the impacts on the retail sector have been significant.”

Since re-opening the centre in June after the last lockdown, footfall has been tracking at an average drop of 45% year-on-year, and the latest national Covid restrictions will have impacted the figures further, MCR added.

The centre has lost several key tenants since 2017, including stationery firm Rymans, retailer Wilko’s and, in 2020 alone, Argos, BrightHouse and Bargain Buys.

Among its remaining tenants are fashion retailers New Look, Peacocks and Select Fashion, and with New Look and Select already subject to company voluntary arrangement (CVA) proceedings and Peacocks expected to appoint administrators, “the financial viability of the centre is not sustainable”, according to MCR.

The developer said it “has informed all staff and advising tenants of its difficult decision to close the centre in light of the current circumstances”.

Charles Denby, asset manager at MCR Property Group, said: “Nationwide, we continue to see a large number of retailers experiencing serious trading difficulties, and more are resorting to insolvency procedures to cut their rent bills.

“This year has been a surreal, once-in-a-generation experience that will not be forgotten, with Covid directly accelerating the decline of high street retail and the move to online shopping.”

He added: “When the change in shopping habits collides with reduced income, an excess of space, and cost structures that are simply no longer realistic, landlords have to take action.

“We understand the impact the closure of the Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre will have on our tenants and will assist where possible through this difficult time.”

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

The age of shopping centres is coming to an end. There is an opportunity to replace these buildings with a smaller more focused retail offering and more flexible mixed use space. This is probably the first of many.

By Jon P

Shows the folly of some of these ‘regeneration’ schemes.
The same will happen to the MEN Arena when the new arena gets built.

By Simon

Rochdale died when they shut down the large outdoor markets which rivaled bury

By Denise shaw

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below