Brighton preps for £100m April opening of new Lanes development

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Mar 11, 2019

Brighton will see a £100 million retail development opening next month as the coastal town continues to transform its shopping offer with a massive makeover of parts of the historic Lanes shopping district.

A new Lane has been created by converting Hanningtons, the upscale department store that closed in 2015, to create 13 new shops, as well as office and residential spaces. And along with the new developments, stores on the main road have also been upgraded as part of the two-year project that has seen the major spend being pumped into the 1.3 acre site by pan-European investment manager Redevco. The North Street stores are targeting larger chains, while the new Lane is aiming at smaller and quirkier names.

The Lanes is a collection of narrow streets that were formerly home to a large number of independent retailers and antiques shops. While some observers have decried their change of character (there are no longer any antique shops there) and criticised the arrival of large chains, the developments have undeniably boosted shopping in the town. 

And with a diverse customer base, including students, UK and international day-trippers/holidaymakers, pensioners, and a large commuter community who mainly work in London, the potential is huge.

Redevco portfolio director Andrew Foulds told the local Argus newspaper: “This is something different and it’s full of character. It won’t be your conventional high street, we want people to get lost in our new area. I believe that we have a captive audience, whether it be commuters, students, academics, tourists and locals. I see this as future-proof retail.”

Oliver Bonas will open there next month and Watches of Switzerland will open nearby in North Street. Meanwhile Kurt Geiger, Cath Kidston, Habitat, The White Company, Sandro and Maje have already opened new stores in the area.