VALUE STORES AND MOBILE PHONE SHOPS – THE NEW LOOK POST-BUST BRITISH HIGH STREET.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

March 30, 2011.

VALUE STORES AND MOBILE PHONE SHOPS – THE NEW LOOK POST-BUST BRITISH HIGH STREET.

In the boom years it was big brands, restaurants, hairdressers and estate agents - but as Britain battles out of bust, the signs are the country’s high streets will have soon changed beyond all recognition with “value shops” and mobile phone retailers staking claim to prime shopping strips across the country.

That’s not a prediction, it’s a fact - according to McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy.

“Our building surveying function is carrying out a significantly enhanced – and growing – number of building surveys for ‘value shops’ and mobile phone retailers, which indicate that the high street is going to have a very different look about it by the time the retail economy has settled,” said Allan Davies of McBains Cooper, Birmingham.

“These dual trends started in the South East in 2007, but they’ve gathered a real momentum in the regions – particularly northern towns – providing a much needed re-invigoration of high streets, following the void left by the likes of Woolworths, Adams and Ethel Austin.

“The high street multiples of 2012 and beyond are going to be variations upon the ‘pound shops’, and more, bigger and better mobile phone retailers. We know of two mobile phone retailers who plan to open more than 50 new stores in 2011, most of which are occupying sites previously operated by high street icons.

“Our background research says that the value store chain growth is down to high street shoppers easing away from premium and designer brands, but the quality and range of value store products is so good that there’s a question of whether consumers will ever flex back up to those designer brands.

“The value brands grew from the downturn, and are genetically tuned to managing costs, and developing and deigning stores that pack the maximum retail punch per square foot combined with attractive but no-nonsense design.

“That, combined with tumbling property costs and charges, means they’re perfectly placed to re-shape and re-invigorate the high street.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com