Marlands Shopping Centre

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Coordinates: 50°54′22″N 1°24′22″W / 50.906°N 1.406°W / 50.906; -1.406
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Marlands Shopping Centre
Map
LocationSouthampton, United Kingdom
Opening date5 September 1991
OwnerEllandi[1]
No. of stores and services67[2]
Parking810[3]
Websitewww.marlandsshoppingcentre.co.uk

The Marlands Shopping Centre (formerly known as The Mall Southampton) was opened on 5 September 1991. At the time, the Marlands Shopping Mall was the largest shopping centre in Southampton and the first significant shopping centre in the city.

However, it is now dwarfed by Westquay which opened in 2000.

Construction[edit]

The Marlands Shopping Centre was constructed to a postmodern design, and was built on the site of Southampton's bus station (the city is now without such a facility), a popular rose garden and some terraced housing which had become shops, on Manchester Street. These were destroyed in 1988 to make way for the shopping centre, despite local opposition. A replica of the Manchester Street shops was constructed as part of the centre's atrium.[4]

Renovations[edit]

On 28 August 1999, it was announced that The Marlands would undergo a facelift ahead of the opening of Westquay the following year.[5] The plans included demolishing the clock tower to be replaced with a massive steel grid with ‘Marlands Shopping’ displayed in illuminated letters visible from Westquay.[5] On the inside of the centre, stainless steel cladding replaced the marble surrounds to the lifts, the toilets were refurbished and a second mother and baby room was built.[5]

In May 2001, plans were announced for another revamp following visitor numbers dropping since the opening of Westquay.[6] These included a new black-lit, glazed entrance feature to replace the clock structure on Above Bar, a new entrance lobby from Portland Terrace opposite the Asda supermarket, internal changes to create a better link between ground and first floor shops, removal of the bandstand feature by Dunnes store and the introduction of a new mall cafe.[6]

On 26 February 2006, plans were made for a £2.3 million makeover, making it the centre's second major revamp in just five years.[7] The owners planned to build a new entrance by constructing a covered walkway leading from Above Bar to Manchester Street, with the roof being glazed in clear reflective glass.[7] At the first floor level of the new walkway, a food court would be built.[7] Also, new paving within the walkway and a new escalator were also planned.[7] Work began on the revamp in August 2006.[8]

History[edit]

The original anchor tenant of the mall was Dunnes Stores, though following their exit this facility was later occupied by Matalan. In 2014, it was confirmed that the Matalan store would be split to provide retail stores for Peacocks and Poundworld.[9] Since then Peacocks has closed down. Other significant stores within the centre include CeX and F. Hinds.

On 9 June 2021, the Disney Store shut down for the final time after 26 years of trading.[10] On 4 November 2021, it was replaced by a pop-up Saints Store.[11] At the end of January 2023, the Saints store closed its doors for good.[12] On 13 March 2023, video game store The Loft Ladder closed down after ten years, citing that the company hopes to relocate to the city centre.[13] On 21 April 2023, Black Axe opened Southampton's first dedicated axe throwing venue.[14]

Stores[edit]

As of May 2023, there are currently 35 shops on the ground floor and 20 shops on the second floor.[15]

First floor[edit]

Second floor[edit]

  • Rockbottom Toystore
  • Kimaya
  • The Affordable Wedding Company
  • The Loft Ladder
  • Nu Game Arcade
  • Stakks Pancake House
  • Costa Coffee
  • Re:So
  • Neds Noodles
  • Fran and Go
  • ShakeAway
  • My Pottery
  • Sea Life Play Centre
  • Vida Marina Fish and Chips
  • Hot Pod Yoga
  • WED2B
  • KIDx
  • JRC Global Buffet

Ownership[edit]

On 19 August 2010, the Mall was sold as part of a £136m deal to management company The Other Retail Group, with other malls in Gloucester, Romford and Falkirk part of the deal.[16] The new owners intended to rebrand the mall by introducing new retailers to fill the empty shop spaces and compete with Westquay.[16]

In 2014, the Marlands was acquired by Ellandi as part of a deal worth £260 million.[17] The acquisition made Ellandi the largest dedicated owner of community shopping centres in the UK.

References[edit]

  1. ^ [1], Marlands Shopping Centre.
  2. ^ [2], Marlands Shopping Centre.
  3. ^ [3], Marlands Shopping Centre.
  4. ^ "Bustling business area lost to the bulldozers". Daily Echo. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Shopping centre to get new look". Southern Daily Echo. 28 August 1999. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Marlands up for a revamp". Southern Daily Echo. 10 May 2001. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d "Marlands centre aims for £2.3m makeover". Southern Daily Echo. 26 February 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  8. ^ Newble, David (22 August 2006). "Work starts on £2.5 million Marlands revamp". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Two sign for the Marlands", Shopping Centre, 2014-05-21
  10. ^ Peck, Zoe (16 June 2021). "Southampton Disney Store in Marlands is closed for good". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  11. ^ "New Saints Store opens at The Marlands". Southampton FC. 3 November 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  12. ^ Reddin, Lorelei (18 January 2023). "Southampton FC Marlands shop to close within weeks". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  13. ^ Puri, Shivalika (13 March 2023). "Video game store closes down after 10 years". Yahoo News. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  14. ^ Edwards, Robert (30 April 2023). "Southampton axe throwing venue now open at the Marlands Shopping Centre". Hampshire Live. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Floor Plans". Marlands Shopping Centre. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  16. ^ a b Lewis, Gareth (19 August 2010). "Mall Marlands shopping centre in Southampton sold as part of £136m deal". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Southampton shopping centre changes hands". Insider Media Limited. 23 December 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2023.

External links[edit]

50°54′22″N 1°24′22″W / 50.906°N 1.406°W / 50.906; -1.406

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