Viacom has taken a 4,000 sq ft store at Criterion Capital's One Leicester Square, which has been formally used by MTV for a central London studio (Russell Brand's "1 Leicester Square"), for the brand-new Nickelodeon Shop/Nick Shop! As part of the plans, Nickelodeon will occupy the ground and first floor of the prominent shop unit located adjacent to the renowned M&M store.
Additionally, the building has consent for hotel use and Nickelodeon is considering running a branded hotel concept, similar to the successful Nickelodeon Suites Resort (Nick Hotel) in Orlando, Florida, USA! Plans for the Nickelodeon hotel are under discussion after Criterion won planning permission this month for a 142-room hotel in the same block as the new shop.
Nickelodeon UK plans to use the shop — which will open in time for Christmas 2014 — to showcase products from the channels hit TV shows such as "SpongeBob SquarePants", "Power Rangers" and "Dora the Explorer", as well as host interactive events.
Asif Aziz, chief executive of Criterion Capital, said: "Nickelodeon is yet another iconic brand to establish a foothold in Leicester Square and is another major step forward in the area's evolution as a retail destination."
Following the opening of the Nickelodeon shop in London's Leicester Square, the children's broadcaster, famous for sliming celebrities such as David Beckham at its award shows, will then roll out its retail concept globally.
Criterion is trying to improve the area around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus and is in the process of converting the Trocodero, where Nickelodeon UK had one of their first UK studios, into the West End's biggest budget hotel. It has agreed a deal with French group Accor to open a 583 room three star hotel.
The Nickelodeon Shop in London's Leicester Square will be Nickelodeon's second Nick store in the UK, following Nickelodeon UK, the number one commercial kids TV network in the UK opening their first Nick Shop at Nickelodeon Land at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 2011.
The area also has a focus on childrens' entertainment including the M&M World shop, which has been a hit with tourists, and the Ripley's Believe It or Not! exhibition.
Nash Bond advised Criterion Capital, while Nickelodeon was represented by CBRE.
From Property Week:
Nickelodeon to open Leicester Square flagship storeAlso, from The London Evening Standard:
Children's television broadcaster Nickelodeon is set to open its first retail store at London's Leicester Square, ahead of a global roll-out.
The American cable network, owned by Viacom International, has taken a 4,000 sq ft store at Criterion Capital's One Leicester Square.
The building has consent for hotel use and Nickelodeon is also considering running a branded hotel concept.
The store itself will showcase products from many of the iconic TV shows from the network, including Spongebob Squarepants and Power Rangers.
Nickelodeon will occupy the ground and first floor of the prominent shop unit located adjacent to the renowned M&M store.
Asif Aziz, chief executive of Criterion Capital, said: “Nickelodeon is yet another iconic brand to establish a foothold in Leicester Square and is another major step forward in the area's evolution as a retail destination.”
Nash Bond advised Criterion Capital, while Nickelodeon was represented by CBRE.
Nickelodeon mulls Leicester Square hotel
Nickelodeon is famous for sliming celebrities such as David Beckham (Photo: Getty Images)
Children's TV broadcaster Nickelodeon is looking at opening a hotel in Leicester Square as it prepares to open its first standalone flagship store there.
The American cable network, owned by Viacom International, has signed up with landlord Criterion Capital — which also owns Trocadero — for a shop at One Leicester Square, near M&M's World.
Plans for the Nickelodeon hotel are under discussion after Criterion won planning permission this month for a 142-room hotel in the same block as the new shop.
Nickelodeon plans to use the shop — which will open in time for Christmas — to showcase products from its TV shows such as Spongebob Squarepants and Power Rangers as well as host interactive events.
The channel, famous for sliming celebrities such as David Beckham at its award shows, will then roll out its retail concept globally. Nickelodeon already operates stores on a concession basis and opened its first hotel more than 10 years ago — the Nickelodeon Suites Resort — in Orlando, Florida.
Asif Aziz, chief executive of Criterion, said: “Nickelodeon is yet another iconic brand to establish a foothold in Leicester Square.” Property agents Nash Bond and CBRE advised on the deal.
Criterion is trying to improve the area around Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus and is in the process of converting the Trocodero into the West End's biggest budget hotel.
It has agreed a deal with French group Accor to open a 583 room three star hotel.
The area also has a focus on childrens' entertainment including the M&M World shop, which has been a hit with tourists, and the Ripley's Believe It or Not! exhibition.
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