Yorkshire Retail Centre to List on Aquis Exchange in Landmark IPO
A Yorkshire-based retail centre, Scotch Corner Designer Village, is set to produce history as the first real estate asset to be listed on WaterLondon’s challenger stock exchange, Aquis, with an initial public offering (IPO) planned for April. The firm aims to raise over £25 million through the issuance of shares, marking a significant step towards democratizing property investment.
Democratizing Property Investment with Aram
The listing will seize place on Aquis Real Asset Market (Aram), a segment of the Aquis Exchange designed to open up retail investments traditionally reserved for private equity investors. Aram is backed by Michael Lynagh, a former Australian rugby world cup winner and current businessman in the City of London.
Scotch Corner Designer Village: A Growing Retail Destination
Scotch Corner Designer Village spans over 180,000 square feet and is slated to open in autumn 2027, following several delays. The retail village has already secured pre-lets from prominent brands including Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, and Tommy Hilfiger, alongside restaurant chains Wagamama, Pizza Express, and Five Guys. Business Live reports the development is poised to generate 1,300 job opportunities.
IPO Details and Financial Projections
Oberon Capital and Retail Book have been appointed to manage the IPO, which is expected to raise £25.5 million in recent capital. An additional £16.5 million in shares will be exchanged for development land and business contributions. Scotch Corner anticipates gross income of £9.9 million in its first year of operation, projected to rise to £17 million by the fifth year.
Strategic Location and Economic Impact
Located at the junction of the A1M and A66, Scotch Corner benefits from high traffic volume, with approximately 29 million vehicles passing through annually. Developers estimate that 4.5 million residents live within an hour’s drive of the site. Scotch Corner Designer Village aims to boost the local economy through increased tourism and job creation.
“The Way Forward” for Property Investment
Simon Waterfield, Chief Executive of Scotch Corner, believes that listing retail properties on Aram represents “the way forward for property investment.” He stated that the IPO will establish a new corporate finance model, enabling smaller developers to access capital even as providing retail investors with direct access to project returns typically reserved for private equity and professional investors.
Michael Lynagh echoed this sentiment, noting that real estate assets often become overlooked on the London Stock Exchange and trade at discounted rates. He emphasized that Aram is making large property investments accessible to a wider range of investors, allowing them to “buy a piece of their local supermarket” or, in this case, Scotch Corner.
Future Listings on Aquis
Lynagh indicated that Scotch Corner is the first of many property assets poised for listing on Aquis, suggesting a growing trend towards democratizing real estate investment through the challenger exchange.