Advice from North East law firm Hay & Kilner has helped a regional real estate firm bring a leading retail centre back into local hands for the first time in eight years, following an off market deal.

Nicola Tiffen and Ben Jackson of the commercial property and corporate teams respectively acted on behalf of Monument Real Estate in their purchase of Gosforth Shopping Centre, which was backed by a consortium of local private investors.

The £9.3m deal came about following a direct approach by Monument to Custodian REIT which had become landlord of the centre in 2021 when it acquired the equity of Drum REIT. It was previously part of an investment portfolio belonging to local entrepreneur Graham Wylie, who sold it in 2014.

The popular shopping centre, which extends to 74,000 sq. ft. with a car park on the second floor, is prominently positioned off Gosforth’s busy High Street. All of the scheme’s 18 retail units are currently occupied, with supermarket Sainsbury’s taking up 33,000 sq. ft, and other tenants include Lloyds Bank, Boots and WHSmith.

Naylors Gavin Black has been appointed as property manager for the shopping centre.

Tom Wooldridge, executive director and founder of Monument Real Estate, said: “As the focal point of Gosforth High Street, within one of the most sought-after residential locations in the region, we saw an opportunity to secure the centre and improve its overall appeal given the very strong credentials.

“Being local asset managers, supported by local co-investors, we are well placed to capitalise on the strength of the demographics. We want to develop the brand and appeal of Gosforth Shopping Centre by bringing forward a number of new initiatives and working with the community to give the centre its own personality and establish points of difference with comparable centres.”

Ben Jackson, corporate associate at Hay and Kilner, added: “Gosforth Shopping Centre is a landmark location in the North East retail sector and it’s great for us to be able to help bring it back into experienced local hands.

“The acquisition expresses great confidence in the future prospects of this prime retail space, as well as in the wider local area, and we look forward to seeing the exciting plans that Monument Real Estate has for its development being put into action.”

Monument Real Estate continues to focus on opportunities in the region’s commercial property market. The firm targets assets which require strong asset management initiatives and re-positioning strategies, delivering positive returns for its growing network of private equity funds, institutional and local investors.

If you need any advice or assistance with the sale of a business or commercial property, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0191 232 8345.

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