Food Warehouse has named the date for its new supermarket opening in Berryden retail park in Aberdeen.
The national retailer – part of Iceland Foods Group – aims to start trading in the Granite City on June 13.
Meanwhile, the retail park itself is changing hands in a major investment deal agreed after the last tenant was signed up.
New US-based owner
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has sold it, along with other UK retail properties, to California-based Realty Income for an undisclosed sum.
Berryden was put up for sale last year as part of a portfolio expected to fetch upwards of £320 million.
Mr Ashley is one of the richest people in the UK.
The billionaire once owned Newcastle United Football Club, having previously made his fortune as the flamboyant entrepreneur behind sporting goods retailer Sports Direct.
Food Warehouse stores, aimed at bulk buyers, have flourished amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Their trademark selling points, according to the retailer’s website, include spacious aisles and “bigger pack options” – allowing shoppers to “stock up for less on all your favourites”.
The fast-growing chain already has two stores in the north and north-east, in Elgin and Inverness.
Food Warehouse unveiled plans to expand to Aberdeen last year and is now fitting out its new premises, which were previously home to Mothercare.
The unit was the last empty one in the retail park.
Property agent CBRE secured the tenancy on behalf of Frasers Group.
The Food Warehouse will initially pay £250,000 a year for its 15,156sq ft site.
Chris Humphrey, director of retail, CBRE Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see Berryden retail park fully let for the first time in a few years.
“I’m sure Food Warehouse will prove to be a popular addition to the park alongside long-established tenants Home bargains, Currys, Next and Sports Direct, which opened its flagship out-of-town store at Berryden in 2021.”
It is fantastic to see Berryden retail park fully let for the first time in a few years.”
CBRE also advised Frasers Group during sale negotiations with Realty Income.
Frasers Group asset manager Ben Barclay said: “This was the final piece of the jigsaw in terms of available space at Berryden so we are delighted to have secured Food Warehouse on a new long term lease and wish Realty Income all the best with the asset moving forward.”
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