ULI UK hosted its annual Young Leaders Winter Drinks event at the Hilton Wembley Park, London on 30th January, hosted by Quintain and Sponsored by Ferguson Partners.

The event commenced with a site tour of Quintain’s London Designer Outlet (LDO), which opened on 24th October 2013. With prices up to 70% below those on the high street, the LDO is home to 85 retail units, 15 restaurant and bars and a 9 screen Cineworld complex.

Following the tour, Max James, CEO of Quintain Estates and Development, spoke passionately about the LDO forming part of the wider Wembley regeneration, which Quintain is undertaking in three distinct phases.  The opening of the LDO marks the completion of phase 1, which has also seen the delivery of new infrastructure (including the overground railway station) and public walkways. There is a new Brent Civic Centre adjacent to the Wembley Retail Park and areas to the North East of the stadium for residential development, with consent for over 5000 new homes.

The LDO is managed by Realm, a specialist asset manager of retail and leisure estates, which includes 10 sites in England and 2 in Scotland. Ray Cliff of Realm spoke about how they work closely with the retailers at the LDO to maximise potential whilst ensuring that there is a good tenant mix.

The event concluded with an opportunity for professionals from across the property industry to network, whilst enjoying the hospitality of the Wembley Hilton and views from their Sky Bar across Wembley and the wider area.