Department Stores

British Land Co PLC 30 March 2005 30 March 2005 FOUR MORE DEBENHAMS DEPARTMENT STORES FOR BRITISH LAND FROM ALLDERS Other Allders Initiatives Debenhams Retail Plc has taken lease assignments of the former Allders department stores totalling 421,750 sq ft at British Land's Queensmere Shopping Centre, Slough, at The Peacocks Centre, Woking and at The Eastgate Centre, Basildon. The introduction of one of the UK's leading department store operators will enhance the retail offer at these Centres. British Land has also purchased the freehold of the former Allders store in Clapham. The store totals 139,000 sq ft and is located in the heart of Clapham's main shopping area with frontage to Lavender Hill and St Johns Road. Simultaneously Debenhams has entered into a 30 year lease at an initial rent of £1.25 m pa on which Tim Roberts, Joint Head of Asset Management at British Land, comments: "In backing Debenhams' purchase of Clapham we have managed to secure a well located London department store with the benefit of guaranteed uplifts throughout a long lease, plus the potential for additional rental growth at review. We are also very pleased to welcome such a strong anchor retailer as Debenhams to three of our shopping centres." Rob Templeman at Debenhams comments: "We are delighted to work again with British Land on expanding our store portfolio". Note to Editors: The release refers to "Four MoreDebenhams Department Stores" because as announced on 14 February 2005, British Land has acquired 23 freehold and long leasehold Debenhams department stores for some £495m. Totalling 3.28m sq ft, the stores are located in prime locations throughout England including London (Oxford Street), Manchester, Cardiff and Chester. Other Allders initiatives agreed by British Land Allders formerly occupied 32,000 sq ft at St James's Retail Park, Northampton and this lease has been assigned to BHS. Allders also formerly occupied 106,000 sq ft at Carr Lane, Hull and this lease has been assigned to Primark. British Land has taken advantage of a pre-emption clause in the Allders lease at Meadowhall Shopping Centre and bought back the lease from the Administrator, as demand from retailers for this accommodation is strong. Contacts The British Land Company PLC: John Weston Smith Tel: 020 7467 2899 Fax: 020 7467 2992 Email: john.westonsmith@britishland.com Finsbury: Gordon Simpson Tel: 020 7251 3801 Fax: 020 7251 4112 Email: gordon.simpson@finsbury.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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