MUM’S THE WORD AS NOTTINGHAM WELCOMES A FASHIONABLE NEW ARRIVAL

Retail News

A fashion chain which rescued pregnant women from dreary maternity wear is the latest aspirational brand to arrive in Nottingham’s city centre retail zone.

JoJo Maman Bebe, launched 20 years ago by Laura Tenison and inspired by French clothing, has opened a new store in The Poultry, alongside The Exchange Arcade and close to Bridlesmith Gate and Flying Horse Walk.

It is the latest in a series of city centre deals lined up by the retail team at the Nottingham property consultancy FHP, which has brought a number of new names to the city over the past few months.

The deal was secured on behalf of private investor landlords by Ben Tebbutt, a director of FHP’s market-leading retail and leisure team.  JoJo Maman Bebe has moved into a unit formerly occupied by Costa Coffee which has a ground floor trading area of 900 sq ft and a basement of 1250 sq ft.  The lease terms are £58,000 per annum for 10 years.

Since its launch in 1993, JoJo Maman Bebe has grown into one of the most famous names in the market for attractive maternity wear and fashionable clothes for babies and young children.  Today, it is a £30 million turnover business which reaches customers through a website and a chain of more than 45 stores.

Laura Tenison herself has become a nationally renowned woman entrepreneur, appearing on numerous business programmes and winning prestige awards such as the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year. She was made an MBE for her services to business.

Ben Tebbutt says the JoJo Maman Bebe letting is further evidence that Nottingham has maintained its position as the prime retail destination in the East Midlands despite the challenging high street climate.  He commented: “Even in the past month we have seen some very well-known retail names hit trouble.  But at the same time we see others who are continuing to grow – and JoJo Maman Bebe is one of them.

It is a fashionable brand which has an instinctive understanding of its market, and a business with an inspirational story to tell.  It’s also one of a number of cleverly-run retailers to successfully combine an expanding high street presence with a strong online business.”

Tebbutt added: “That such a prominent brand has chosen to come to Nottingham should be taken as a continuing vote of confidence in the city’s status among major retailers.  Regardless of well-publicised economic difficulties, we have managed to bring Patisserie Valerie, Dr Martens, JoJo Maman Bebe and others to the city over the past few months.

“All have taken space close to the retail core, and it’s good to see some attractive names in locations like The Poultry and The Exchange Arcade, which are close to the existing hotspots like Clumber Street and Bridlesmith Gate.  We know interest is there among other retailers and we expect to be making further announcements about new arrivals soon.”