Clothing shop could move into Borders store
Jon WelchSpeculation is mounting that one of Norwich's most prominent empty stores could soon have a new tenant.The former Borders store in Chapelfield has been vacant since December after the collapse of the bookshop chain.Jon Welch
Speculation is mounting that one of Norwich's most prominent empty stores could soon have a new tenant.
The former Borders store at the Chapelfield shopping centre has been vacant since December after the collapse of the bookshop chain.
But there are strong rumours among the city's retail community that fashion chain Cult Clothing is planning to move into the empty unit.
The chain already has a store in Swan Lane, but it is believed to have been in discussions with bosses at Chapelfield about a move there.
Supergroup, the company that owns the chain and fashion brand Superdry, worn by celebrities such as David Beckham, is due to float on the London stock market within weeks, valued at more than �400m.
The deal will bring a huge pay-day for its founder and chief executive, Julian Dunkerton, who started the business as a market stall on Cheltenham High Street in 1985 supported by a �40 a week government enterprise allowance loan.
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The group reported rocketing Christmas sales, up 29pc on last year's figure. It recently opened a flagship store in New York, another in Cardiff and is planning at least 20 more new stores.
A spokesman for the company refused to confirm or deny that it was planning to open a store in Chapelfield.
A Chapelfield spokesman said: "Chapelfield is talking to a whole range of retailers about the units that are currently available in the shopping centre, including the unit previously occupied by Borders.
"However, we are unable to provide details about potential new tenants at this stage."
There are nine empty units
at Chapelfield, but the spokesman said this number would fall
soon.
� Do you have a story about a shop
or other business that is planning to move or expand? Call Evening News reporter Jon Welch on 01603 772476 or email jon.welch@archant.co.uk
