Did you know that Brent Cross Shopping Centre was the first of its kind in the UK? Traditionally everyone did their shopping at local town centres, high streets, or markets. The idea of US style out of town shopping centres didn’t appear until the 70s. Since then they have become the most popular way to shop. As it celebrates its half century, owners Hammerson are planning for the future. Let’s have a closer look, then you can rely on us if you invest in properties and want guaranteed rent in Brent or other boroughs in London.
Why did it become so popular?
Sadly high streets and town centres across the UK have been struggling for decades. It’s been a tough time for them as consumer habits have changed, including the rise of e-commerce. Interestingly though, out of town shopping centres are doing a little better. In fact, some are thriving.
Out of town shopping centres remain popular for a number of reasons. Most importantly, they are generally easily accessible for cars and public transport. Many car drivers prefer them because of the abundance of parking, often free of charge. At the same time, the shopping experience itself can be better here. Shop units tend to be larger and businesses can create large flagship stores with more amenities. If that wasn’t enough, the centres typically offer dining and leisure options too.
Brent Cross
As we said, Brent Cross Shopping Centre was the first out of town style shopping centre in the UK, celebrating a grand opening in 1976. The development was a massive undertaking, taking 19 years and costing £20m to complete. Incredibly there was strong opposition to the project, with market traders arguing it would ruin their businesses.
Brent Cross is still incredibly popular today, welcoming over 10 million visitors in 2025. It’s a great amenity to live close to. Not surprisingly it’s something investors should think about. If you need help, including guaranteed rent in Brent, rely on us.
Hammerson is working hard to ensure Brent Cross has a fantastic “future direction”. Crucially, they have plans to install a new modern facade. It will be a significant investment, but aims to improve the visibility and give the centre a better appearance. The plans have been submitted to Brent Council. Should they get permission, work could begin later in the year.
There has already been plenty of work to ensure Brent Cross will still be relevant in the decades ahead. Crucially, there are new leisure offerings, including go-karting and bowling. In addition, there are more options for dining thanks to the street food hall.
Speak to us to arrange flexible guaranteed rent in Brent
Homes close to fantastic amenities have a lot of potential. They can be incredibly attractive to different types of tenants, providing great value for investors. If you’re investing, it’s a good idea to consider what is nearby, including key things like green space, shops and leisure, schools, and transport links.
If you choose properties in Brent and other parts of London, we’d love to work with you. Crucially, we can ensure you do everything the right way. Even better, we can make arrangements so you get rental income every single month without fail.
So, get in touch and talk to us about guaranteed rent in Brent or other areas today. We’re flexible, able to provide solutions for different properties.
