Major retailers have criticised Westfield London this week over problems they are facing fitting out their stores ahead of the scheme’s opening at the end of this month.
Several major brands have told Retail Week that they have exceeded their fit-out budgets for the scheme because of what they consider to be costly charges being levied on them by the developer.
Among the costs to have caused indignation is a charge during the fit-out period for the use of on-site welfare facilities including the toilets, which is up to£2,000 for the largest stores. Many retailers have also said that they are in danger of opening late as a result of over-complicated processes.
Red5 director Jonathan Elvidge, whose store at Westfield London is being prepared for opening, said: “It would be cheaper to use the toilets in the Savoy. It’s the most expensive fit-out in a shopping centre we’ve ever done. It’s a very challenging environment to work in.”
Elvidge has contacted Westfield and managed to negotiate the welfare charge down to£500 for Red 5 for the whole fit-out period. However, other costs being piled onto retailers include an approval fee for fit-outs and a£50 charge for the use of scissor lifts that are based at the centre during the fit-out process.
One major retailer, who declined to be named, said it had paid£4,000 to have the rubbish generated by the fit-out removed. He said it had already gone£8,000 over budget, having allocated£300,000 for the project. He described the process of preparing for opening as a “nightmare”.
Retailers have also complained about Westfield London’s system of collecting deliveries from a pick-up point in the centre, which they say has caused queues and delays.
A contractor working for one of the retailers said: “It’s an absolute nightmare. Deliveries aren’t going in on time, stuff is going missing and being stolen. Had I known what I know now, I would have added 20 per cent to my fee.”
A Westfield spokeswoman said: “One of the most exciting elements of Westfield London is the introduction of a large number of new store designs which have been initiated by many of the retailers, working closely with our in-house design team.
“This is a very large project and, in terms of logistics and delivery, we do recognise that there have understandably been some issues and we are working extremely hard to remedy this service, which is free to our retailers during the life of their fit-out.”
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