First phase of Barber retail revamp for Sovereign Centre is complete

25th October 2016

Regular blog readers may remember back in August we told you how we had been appointed to redesign the new food court at the Sovereign Shopping Centre in Weston-super-Mare. Today we are happy to announce that the £500k retail revamp is now complete and the food court has just opened to the public. This is the first phase of our work with the centre’s owners, Vixcroft to be completed – as we are currently involved in the rebranding and retail planning of the entire Sovereign Shopping Centre. This work includes a new website design, signage and promotional materials throughout the revamped retail centre.

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The whole food court area has been completely refitted and rebranded and is now known as ‘The Galley’. Drawing inspiration from Weston’s close proximity to the sea the new seating area offers wonderful views across the coastal town and is decorated in a modern seaside style, with clean lines and integral nautical design elements. There is also a nod to the area’s tradition of summer entertainments with a summer shed selling delicacies and a grand piano incorporated into the setting.

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Sovereign Centre manager, Nick Cooke expects the new food court to be a big draw:

“The Galley will definitely draw in more visitors to the Sovereign Centre.  Customers are commenting on how it is a bright and airy space  – well worth visiting.”

A new Druckers patisserie and café offering speciality sandwiches and delicious cakes is one of the focal points of the new design, which took two months to complete.

Vixcroft chief executive Daniel Carter describes how the revamp is attracting new brands to the area which will benefit the town:

“Having Druckers in the Sovereign Centre reinforces our appeal and the Sovereign Centre’s status as a quality regional retail and leisure destination.  This is just the start of our investment programme at the Centre which will complement the wider regeneration of the town centre which will see widespread improvements to Weston.”

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Working with both the Sovereign Centre management team and Vixcroft has been a delight and our vision for the new food court has been followed right through from concept to completion with the highly skilled team and shopfitters Hutcheon Construction.

We do hope that the residents and visitors to Weston-Super-Mare are delighted with the results and variety of food on offer which will the gastronomic delights into the 21st century.

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Formed in 2014, Vixcroft already have an established profile in the property investment market as a skilled team of professionals with a hands-on approach to turning around the income and value of problematic real estate assets. Their aim is to benefit all who depend on these assets – from shoppers and visitors to users and occupiers – as much as their investors. They purchased the Sovereign centre in February 2015 and they wanted the new food court design to ‘break the mould of traditional shopping centre eateries” They are committed to enhancing the centre and it’s dated restaurant area and contributing to Weston’s long term economic revival.

Stuart Kearney of retail and leisure agents Fawcett Mead, who act for Vixcroft adds:

“The scheme attracts a loyal customer base and the relaunched food court is attracting interest from branded leisure operators and local catering operators.  The way we shop today is very different from when the Centre was first built and this refurbishment will cater for the needs of visitors to the centre.”

The new design acknowledges this change in shopping and eating habits. The Galley needed a dramatic rebrand to bring it up to date and make it appealing to visitors of all ages. Our designers focused on the premise of beach inspired dining with kiosks individually named, branded and themed, with a modern twist on traditional British cuisine.

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The rebranding is set to continue online as Barber also supervised an overhaul of the centre’s website to include matching design elements. The new food court is now open so if you’re in Weston for the half term hols – or perhaps for the traditional Christmas panto – be sure to check it out and let us know what you think!

Some of the original designs for the project:

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The work in Progress:

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The finished result:

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