C&R takes its Junction format to edge of town

Capital & Regional aims to pick up a series of edge-of- town sites for its retail and leisure operations.

Company chief executive Martin Barber told the Retail Week Property Forum: 'We aim to surround London with our mall, community shopping centres, and are looking very hard for more edge-of- town retail sites.'

Barber would not confirm details of a rumoured new edge-of-town leisure format C&R is developing, but he said leisure would play a key role in the Junction range of retail parks, which will include a roll-out of the new Pods, the first of which are being developed at Hull and in east London.

The three-storey domes comprise a Starbucks coffee shop and leisure activities, including a full-height climbing wall.

The aim, according to Barber, is to create a central leisure destination within all Junction schemes. He adds: 'For far too long retail parks have provided nothing to do and many have been downright unsafe. We are creating the first branded retail park which is welcoming and fun.'