Sales growth for Harbourside retailers

Retailers at the Harbourside development on the former Canon’s Marsh area, Bristol, have seen a marked increase in sales since the New Year and are gearing up for a busy summer.

The success is great news for the development as more and more people visit the site for business and leisure which has been transformed by Crest Nicholson over the past five years from a derelict, run-down area into one of Bristol’s most thriving quarters.

With sales of the one, two and three-bedroom apartments going well, more people moving to live next to the water and businesses moving in, Harbourside is set for a bright future.

Costa Coffee is one outlet that is benefitting from the increase in trade with sales in 2010 improving, on average, 15% week-on-week compared to last year. The arrival of employees at the new Hargreaves Lansdown HQ on Anchor Road has also helped push sales which since February have grown at an even faster rate spiking to 95% better than last year during some weeks.

Claire Searle, manager at the stylish coffee shop thinks that things are only going to get better especially with the busy summer festivals fast approaching. Making sure the shop provided what customers wanted, such as consistent opening times, have also been key to its recent success and Claire is now relishing the next few months.

Born and bred in Bristol, Claire knows the area well and is amazed at the transformation.

She said: “Costa Coffee opened at Harbourside in May 2007 and as the site developed it’s been noticeable how the footfall has increased. With some major employers right on our doorstep it’s key we understood what they wanted and when and this has really helped push sales.

“Events at the Cathedral, fire drills at Lloyds and the opening of the new Blue Reef aquarium are all factors that have helped and the potential for next year is limitless.

“There is a real sense of community now as more people move into the apartments and we’re now looking to co-host an open-air carol concert later in the year with Pizza Express where residents and members of the public will be able to come along and get involved.

“It’s a lovely area and we’re always looking for ways in which we can make use of the space.”

Pizza Express which is opposite Costa Coffee has also enjoyed a boom in trade with manager Neema Karia also reporting an upturn in business since last summer.

Opened in July 2008, the popular restaurant famed for its fresh pizzas and Italian fayre has increased sales week-on-week by 20% since last summer and is now one of the top ten performers across the whole Pizza Express chain which totals 350 restaurants nationwide.

Neema said: “There’s certainly been a marked increase in the amount of activity at Harbourside and is reflected in sales at the restaurant. As more areas are opened up so more people are using the pedestrian walkways as a means to get about.

“Trade has been greatly impacted by the surrounding businesses and leisure attractions and we feel there is still substantial growth potential.

“There’s a lovely ambience and the area has so much going for it.  We’re really looking forward to a busy summer and the continued growth and development of Harbourside and hope visitors continue to enjoy dining with us.”

For further information on commercial opportunities at Harbourside please contact either King Sturge on T: 0117 927 6691 or DTZ on T: 0117 926 2210.