FOLLOWING his award for Business Leader of the Year at the Colchester Business Awards, Lion Walk centre manager Martin Leatherdale is feeling good.
Martin has been the centre manager for almost four years, previously running retail operations across London and Essex, for Tesco’s.
He was headhunted for the Lion Walk job, switching careers and taking a gamble which evidently paid off.
Martin says he love Colchester...and has high hopes for its future.
In a brief sorti into politics, Martin was first elected in 2021.
He romped home for the Conservatives in the Lexden and Braiswick ward in May 2022.
But just a matter of weeks later, he became an Independent and then resigned as a councillor.
There are no regrets, however,
Speaking on his time in politics, Martin said: “It was an absolute privilege to serve in public office and I was fortunate to meet some brilliant people within my community and party.
“I really enjoyed the year, however, at the time I decided to leave due to a lot of disruption, in favour of maintaining a clear focus on the growth, inward investment, and commercialisation of Colchester as our first and newest city.
"It was an honour to be part of the history books in the town hall with city status and I will certainly consider a return to the political arena, perhaps you may see me standing for the city centre itself next year.”
Martin believes Colchester’s success is down to the hardworking people who excel in their roles, constantly bringing positive change to the city centre.
He said: “It's undoubtedly the people.
"My time in the Colchester city centre has enabled me to engage with the many organisations that make up the very fabric of the city centre, and it is no understatement to say we are lucky to have them.
“From Colchester Council to the BID, to the police, community groups and charitable organisations, there are so many amazing people that come together to support Colchester to thrive and be the best it can be.
“Like any city we face unprecedented disruption and challenges, from the pandemic to the cost of living crisis, but the data speaks for itself.
“We are performing far better than the UK average with occupancy, footfall and commercialisation, and we will continue to grow exponentially with city status.”
During his time at Lion Walk shopping centre, Martin has overseen several feats of success, from the Apres Ski Lounge bar to the recent unveiling of the ancient Roman mosaic.
“There are lots that I am proud of at Lion Walk and there is plenty more to come," he said.
“I think we have transformed that part of the city centre and the best judge of that is the customers and their feedback.
“We enjoy a vacancy level of only three per cent, compared to the national average of 15 per cent, and footfall is steaming ahead of the rest of the UK versus pre-pandemic levels.
“We have invested in new stores, new place-making projects, residential builds, hosting markets and seasonal events, and updating the entire aesthetic and marketing appeal of the centre.
“It is clear from the new players that are pipelined that Colchester is very much seen as the place to be.”
Speaking on what he would like to see in Colchester city centre in the future, he added: “The city centre is certainly not declining, is it just changing. With that, I embrace our opportunities and ambitions to be the heart of the community.
“We want to welcome and offer something for everyone – whether you are a tourist in search of Roman mosaics, a resident who wants a safe and warm space, or a customer who wants to shop, eat, drink, watch entertainment and play games.
“I believe that immersive and experiential shopping is the way forward – and with that, we will grow our proposition.
“I’m very much looking forward to launching our new courtyard activation next month, which will see part of Lion Walk transformed into a Mediterranean-inspired getaway, building on previous events, for all customers to enjoy entertainment free of charge and shop, eat, drink and relax.
“There is some very big inward investment pipelined, but unfortunately, I am embargoed from saying what that is... watch this space.”
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