Poole High Street welcomes five new shops
They'll open on Kingland Crescent, near to The Dolphin Shopping Centre
Last updated 25th Feb 2021
It has been confirmed that five new shops will be coming to Poole High Street once lockdown restrictions have eased.
Located on Kingland Crescent, just outside the Dolphin Shopping Centre, the new additions include a perfume shop, an art gallery, a design studio, a shop selling Dorset-made gin and a zero-waste grocery store.
Legal & General are handling the transformation of the area, which will eventually feature ten new shops showcasing the county’s most innovative, up-and-coming young companies.
Last year it was announced that three other new retailers will be moving to the area too, including HUX Custom Surfboards and Café, Greenslade Fishmonger and Grounded Coffee.
This next phase of confirmed retailers include:
• ånd Fragrance: An independent perfume shop run by ex-Lush head buyer, Simon Constantine
• Pen Gallery: A non-for-profit contemporary art gallery and store
• Paintshop Studio: A creative design studio
• Ten Food Naked: A zero waste grocery shop
• Viper Gin: A Dorset-based gin company
Legal and General have released this statement:
By working with local businesses to find the perfect fit for the street, Legal & General has brought together Dorset’s most innovative entrepreneurs to create a vibrant shopping experience with the local community in mind.
All ten retailers on Kingland Crescent will benefit from no rent or business rates for two years. This is to kick-start the unparalleled shopping experience that will see Poole become an exciting new retail environment, creating a future-ready space which re-connects people with place.
John Grinnell, Centre Manager of the Dolphin Shopping Centre and KINGLAND, commented:
“We have been working closely with our owners at Legal & General to revive our high street and create a visionary shopping experience for our local communities to enjoy. Owing to changes in consumer trends, the UK retail sector has undergone a seismic shift in recent years and as a knock-on effect of the pandemic, people are choosing to shop locally more than ever —shopping habits have changed with consumers putting a larger focus on supporting small businesses at this time.
“KINGLAND has already become a strong community hub. Once lockdown restrictions are lifted and shoppers can return, it will come into its own, offering a lively and energetic shopping experience that our locals will actually want to visit and support.”
Speaking on the scheme from a retailer perspective, Simon Constantine, Owner of ånd fragrance, added:
“KINGLAND already feels like a small community emerging. All the store owners are supporting one another despite not being able to actually meet at the moment. I expect it to be a very warm and inviting experience to shop at KINGLAND, with some truly inspiring stores and products. KINGLAND will showcase the best of what small independent businesses can offer a town.”
Dan Pink, Director of Ten Foot Naked, said:
“We can’t wait to open as we just know that the whole crescent will be full of life and joy. We want to bring a fun and exciting shopping experience to Poole, whilst also offering eco shopping alternatives.”
KINGLAND is already home to a wide range of new independent businesses, which despite the current lockdown restrictions, have settled in well.
The KINGLAND community currently includes: Wild Roots, Greenslade Fish, Restored Retro, Grounded Coffee and HUX Custom Surfboards and Café
Denz Ibrahim, Head of Retail and Futuring at LGIM Real Assets, said:
“With the ultimate mission to make incredible places for people, KINGLAND is a true physical manifestation of what can happen when you offer the local creative community a platform to launch their ideas and share their stories.
“At Legal & General, we believe we have a responsibility to ensure our retail places are future ready and remain dynamic; responding to our human desire for social connections. Our role as the owner is shifting from what was historically ‘the librarian’ (collecting rent and cleaning) to an ‘editor’ of space, where we curate the environments to ensure we have the right content, at the right time, in the right places.
“We are super proud of the first ten selected brands opening their doors in KINGLAND, and we look forward to building on this momentum.”
The redevelopment of Kingland Crescent is the first step in Legal & General’s long-term plans for the area which will see innovation and investment in the neighbouring Dolphin Shopping Centre.
Shoppers are encouraged to follow the centre’s social media channels and check the website for more updates on the scheme and opening plans in line with government guidance.