More shops open at Greenwich’s o2 shopping centre Icon – but it’s slow going
Back in October a new shopping centre opened its doors at the o2 in Greenwich. I took a trip in the opening week and much to my surprise, didn’t mind it at all, though clearly much of the site was yet to complete.
Fast forward two months and with Christmas fast approaching a few more stores have opened but its more a trickle than a deluge.
Osprey recently opened as did Fatface and Scotch & Soda, along with Dum Dum Doughnuts. Tommy Hilfiger opened the week before.
Whilst no doubt welcome to some, the centre is hardly going to set the world alight with those offerings. Around half the units are still vacant and the crucial pre-Christmas period has been missed for them to open.
Social media has also been a bit flat. I would’ve expected them to be shouting loudly about forthcoming stores but there’s little to go on.
There’s no doubt retail across the UK is struggling, as figures out today show. Yet this isn’t your everyday mall – as it’s aimed at tourists as much as local residents.
Have you been to the centre since it opened? Have you found it busy or quiet? Leave a comment below.
Meandered through yesterday – two Saturdays before xmas – and it wasn’t exactly busy. But the thing that really struck me was that it was bloody freezing in the mall itself, much colder than in other bits of the Dome, and quite off-putting.
Went a month ago and shops were offering loads of discounts not being advertised. It all had a slightly deperate air, although it seems very nicely done – just very few customers. Agree with John that it’s freezing in the mall, but it is very warm in the shops. Wonder if that is not deliberate…
I think parking is really expensive to park near the O2 /icon , and shoppers should get it discounted to encourage shoppers to come.