Dockside is located in the heart of Chatham Maritime – an area of 300 acres featuring leisure and restaurant facilities, Chatham Dockyard and Chatham Marina. More than 2,000 new homes have already been built locally with anther 450 homes now under construction nearby.
The arrival of the 287.8 sq m dental practice, located on the upper level of the 44-unit outlet center is in part, a direct response to the ‘zoom boom’ that has swept the country. It features modern equipment including a scanner and treatment rooms.
Recent research by CACI indicates that footfall at the center grew by 8.5% in 2021 compared to the same period in June and July in 2019 – the comparative period before the Pandemic impacted UK retail destinations. The footfall numbers are continuing to trend upwards as the center is continuing to evolve its offer. Dockside is now 97% let.
Peter Everest of Dockside owners WD Ltd. comments: “The center is an increasingly popular destination offering a curated mix of both outlet and some full-price operators along with service providers. Our service offer started when we used ancillary space to create the popular Dockside Day Nursery and Pre-School and continues with the new Smil dental practice. We are far more than just an outlet and we are also creating other unique center offers which will, we believe, soon deliver additional community destination dynamics.”
One of the practice founders, Dr. Neil Underhill, explains. “Our aim is to reduce barriers to access to us and increase the opportunities for customers to feel at ease if they want to come in and talk about procedures and options. Smil is new customer-connective way of delivering dental care via a location in a popular community setting – and that’s why it’s exciting to be at Dockside.”
Beauty Outlet has taken a 326,6 sq m of a 10-year lease. Nearly opposite The Fragrance Shop has taken a 5-year lease in the 45 sq m unit, while Pad Thai has taken a 4-year lease on the center’s upper level.
