Page 29 - RLI February 2019

COVER STORY | BATTERSEA POWER STATION
BACK TO One of London’s largest, most visionary and eagerly awaited

new developments, Battersea Power Station is being brought
back to life as one of the most exciting and innovative mixed-
THE FUTURE use neighbourhoods in the world. Here, RLI sits down with

Sam Cotton, Head of Retail Leasing at Battersea Power

Station to learn more about this fascinating project.

ased upon a masterplan that was approved in ups, new concepts and international cuisines. Alongside
2011, the iconic Grade II* listed building and the Chimney Lift there will be an events venue in the
surrounding area of Battersea Power Station Boiler House that will be used for live music, launch and
B(BPS) is being reimagined as a place for locals, fashion shows and the Control Room, made famous by its
tourists and residents to enjoy a unique blend of restaurants, appearances in a number of films including The King’s Speech.
shops, parks and cultural spaces. So from where have you drawn inspiration for this unique
This 42-acre, eight phase regeneration will create and innovative project?
hundreds of new shops, restaurants, offices, cultural venues, “I’ve travelled the world seeking inspiration from other
homes, a hotel and over 18 acres of public space, including a successful retail destinations and working out what works and
new six-acre park. The Power Station itself is set to become what does not. A key observation I have made is that both
home to Apple’s new London campus, opening in 2021, brands and consumers are seeking authenticity. This exactly
and will become one of the capital’s top retail and leisure what the Power Station offers, being incredibly inspirational
destinations. on its own with the art-deco architecture, sparser modernist
“Circus West Village, the first phase of the redevelopment interior and cultural heritage. It offers a story for both brands
is already complete with over a thousand people now and consumers to play a part in,” explains Cotton.
living on site, enjoying the thriving new community and the The project will offer brands
carefully curated selection of restaurants, bars and shops that something very different “AS CONSUMERS ARE EITHER CRAVING
are on their doorstep,” says Sam Cotton, Battersea Power to other developments, a
Station’s Head of Retail Leasing. unique canvas like no other SOMETHING INCREDIBLY EXCITING, OR
The project’s retail and leisure offer launched last year and which isn’t seen every COMPLETE EASE AND CONVENIENCE,
to date has received a lot of interest from a wide range of day. The scheme has no
brands from the UK and abroad, and at the end of last year traditional ‘anchor’, instead BPS WILL BRING THESE DEMANDS
the new event and attraction spaces that will be on offer the developers are taking a TOGETHER, PLACING THE CONSUMER
inside the Power Station were announced. more innovative and eclectic
“The most exciting one, in my opinion, being a glass approach to the mix and FIRMLY AT THE HEART OF OUR RETAIL
elevator, otherwise known as the Chimney Lift, which will there is confidence that this AND LEISURE STRATEGY,”
travel 109m to the top of the North West chimney, offering will generate excitement and
visitors amazing views of London’s skyline,” says Cotton. entice customers.
Situated in one of the best and most dynamic cities in “A key priority for us is to ensure visitors have a seamless
the world, which already has an incredible retail offer experience when visiting BPS and the surrounding area. We
and a diverse, creative and experimental population, BPS are expecting people to come here to not just shop but to
will breathe a new lease of life into South West London, also dine with us, go to a music gig, partake in events, make
delivering something completely new and setting the scene use of the parks and everything else that this innovative
to, in time, become the home of experiential retail theatre project is making available to them,” concludes Cotton.
in the capital.
“As consumers are either craving something incredibly
exciting, or complete ease and convenience, BPS will bring
these demands together, placing the consumer firmly at the
heart of our retail and leisure strategy,” Cotton comments.
Battersea has a unique advantage in standing out from the
crowd due to the iconic nature of the building itself. BPS is one
of London’s most famous buildings and has been used in many
film and music videos, and now that it has been sat empty for
35 years, the anticipation of what is inside is building.
The project has seen a lot of interest from South Korean
and Japanese brands, as well as those from the rest of Asia,
the UK and the US. The scheme will be an exceptional
platform for international brands and new concepts to enter
London and it is the intention of the developer to really
shape how the future of retail will look.
In terms of the leisure offering, connecting the two turbine
halls will be an 18,500sq ft food hall that will showcase the
very best of London’s food scene, including restaurant start-

24 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL FEBRUARY 2019 DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 00