Next Outlet opens in Greenwich Peninsula
OK, so this isn’t exactly breaking news but I’ve only just found out that Next opened an Outlet store at the o2’s Icon shopping Centre in December just before lockdown, which promptly closed and is now open as of this week as restrictions are eased.
Why is this of interest? Well, even if not a shopper it’s a vote of confidence in the shopping centre after a bumpy time since opening in late 2018. Many weren’t even aware it existed, and when visiting it seemed empty much of the time.
Next is one of the most popular retailers in the country. A bit of a bellweather if you like. To open after a pandemic is a vote of confidence. They also have a “standard” store at Brocklebank retail park down the road in Charlton.
Slow start
Icon shopping centre opened in late 2018 with many empty units. A year later a fair few remained. Then came the pandemic. So to gain tenants like Next is a bit of a coup. Whether it’s on very favourable terms or not, it should attract punters. At least with spring now here (sort of) the oft mentioned drafty centre shouldn’t be too bad.
Alongside new shops within the o2, the Design District outside the o2 comprising markets and bars is due to open this spring. Then there’s Magazine music and events venue, which was finding its feet when everything kicked off last spring. They are due to reopen this summer.
Barring no further hiccups on the “roadmap” towards opening up music venues, the area could teem with life again in a few months as concerts commence. If Knight Dragon built homes a bit quicker, they’d also have a lot more local custom within a few minute’s walk.
I think the new Next Outlet could prove popular with passengers using North Greenwich Station or visting 02 Arena . Part of the problem with the ICON Shopping Centre is a lot of people includibg local residents in the Boorrugh of Greenwich know it is there. It is not well advertised or sign posted.
Local residents in the Borough of Greenwich are not aware the Icon Shopping Centre is there. As it is not well advertised or sign posted i meant.
Not particularly interested in Next, but now that the weather is brighter local days’ out are on the cards so the Icon shopping will be one of them.
Ah, but Next in Lewisham has just closed (found out the day before shops reopened that last Sunday was their last day of business); Next in Charing Cross closed a few months ago and their Bond Street store is also closed, as I found out when trying to return something
Not particularly interested in Next”
= Agree entirely.
“Next is one of the most popular retailers in the country.”
= A horrific thought … “Britannia’s Sartorial mediocrity unchained”.
Sorry for the staff, of course, but I barely noticed it and it’s closure will have no impact on me.
The images have the atmosphere of a pharmacologically pacified science-fiction dystopia. Clean, white, enforced contentment in consumerism; but everyone dead on the inside.
I also wonder if the two police officers are carrying guns?
A very odd-looking place.
Icon Shopping Centre is located in the Millennuim Dome which is now 02 Arena.
I do not really use Next myself, but do feel sorry for their staff who have been made redundant and retail staff in general who have had a very difficult time during the Covid pandemic.
@Ballard: the scale of the space is vast and is in stark contrast to the smallness of the units. Those officers look like ‘community’ support people to me and not real police at all.
I went out there earlier this week and noticed that the Aspinal of London unit had closed. I didn’t bother going down to the lower level as I think the star attractions are all upstairs.
The whole idea that Icon was going to entice the Bicester Village shopper was a bust from the start.