July 25, 2001
Slough Estates plc is delighted to welcome Topnotch Health Clubs plc to the Lewisham Shopping Centre in a new letting of 32,500 sq ft (3,000 sq m).
With co-operation from the London Borough of Lewisham, Slough Estates has taken a surrender of the former local authority-run sports centre and re-let the accommodation on a 25-year lease at £8.00 per square foot. The health club will be the only facility within the surrounding areas to include a swimming pool and will open for trade in January 2002.
Martin Taylor, General Manager of Slough Estates’ Retail Division, commented: “We are very excited that Topnotch has chosen Lewisham as the site for their nineteenth health club. It will also be Topnotch’s largest facility and will broaden the appeal of the Lewisham Shopping Centre by the introduction of its exciting leisure concept. The agreement with the local authority should also allow us to create further leisure and retail space in the scheme.”
Topnotch’s Chief Executive, Matthew Harris, commented:
“We are delighted to be offering the local community an exciting, state-of-the-art health and fitness club, including all the unique and innovative zones for which Topnotch is renowned. This club will be the flagship for the Topnotch chain.”
Dave Sullivan, Mayor for London Borough of Lewisham, commented:
“After our withdrawal from the sports centre facility we are delighted that, in co-operation with the private sector, we have been able to work with Slough Estates and introduce a top private health club into Lewisham. With other stimulating developments in Lewisham, such as the new 135,000 sq ft data processing centre for Citibank, there are exciting times ahead for the town centre. The return on our involvement in the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Lewisham town centre is clear.”
Healey & Baker advised Slough Estates plc and AJP Frankham Design Associates introduced Topnotch Health Clubs plc.