Edinburgh's Ocean Terminal to be transformed into premium outlet centre

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Nov 16, 2018

Ocean Terminal shopping centre in Edinburgh is set to relaunch as a premium outlet destination in the third quarter of 2019, owner Resolution Property announced on Friday.

It will be renamed as Porta and feature a new mix of aspirational and premium brands. French Connection, Debenhams, H&M, New Look, Schuh, Superdry and White Stuff are currently part of its line-up, which features mostly low-cost brands.

Whilst the high street is struggling with falling sales and shopping centres turn to technology to lure shoppers, outlet centres are emerging as a bright spot in the UK market.

Last month saw the opening of a brand new premium outlet centre at the O2 arena in London, and outlet operator McArthurglen announced this week a €1bn investment in new designer outlets and expansions.

Resolution property said Ocean Terminal’s repositioned offer will help it capitalise on increasing visitor numbers and provide a new premium outlet destination in Scotland. It already has premium outlet centres in Germany, France and Denmark in its portafolio.

The 407,000-square-foot Ocean Terminal will retain its 12-screen Vue Cinema as well as food operators Wagamama and Zizzi. The existing PureGym and skatepark will also stay to bolster the centre’s leisure offer.

Shane Scott, partner at Resolution Property, said: “Delivering an outlet concept to the area is a unique and exciting opportunity and one that will transform the current offer.

“Ocean Terminal already enjoys good footfall and an impressive line-up of international brands, but we believe there is greater demand for a destination that provides experience as well as value. In fact, a number of our tenants have expressed demand for an outlet offer. Porta will build on this demand to establish the centre as one of Scotland’s leading outlet destinations.”