GALERIA EMKA OPENS IN KOSZALIN

The long awaited opening of Galeria Emka shopping centre in Koszalin, which belongs to London & Cambridge Properties Ltd (LCP) – one of the biggest British companies on the property market in Europe, took place on May 20. The object’s renovation and commercialisation appeared to be a spectacular success of the investor, and as a result the great inauguration attracted almost 30 thousand citizens to the gallery.

An extensive artistic and entertainment programme awaited the clients on the opening day and was prepared in collaboration with local cultural institutions. However, the greatest attraction was Margaret’s concert which ended with fireworks show.

The centre was visited only on 20 May by almost 30 thousand Clients and the tenants achieved record sales. Some stores ranked first in terms of sales in Poland, and a dozen or so are in the very forefront.

Krystian Modrzejewski, Country Manager Poland in LCP, says: „We are very pleased to hear the positive feedback from the tenants after the opening. They are thrilled with great sales results at the opening weekend. We already know that this great turnout and high turnover have also remained during the next days after Emka’s inauguration and we hope that it will remain like this in the future.

The opening of the first floor of Galeria Emka raised a lot of emotions among the Koszalin citizens who came shopping on Saturday, as it was entirely closed for the Clients within last few months. The most popular were new stores of such brands as: Grey Wolf, Giacomo Conti, Carry, Top Secret, Martes Sport, Genetic, CCC and Deichmann, Pepco, also a two-level H&M and entirely renewed RTV Euro AGD. Most of the stores prepared special discounts for the Clients which reached even 70%, so the long queues were not a surprise.

Great amount of people was also interested in the new food court praising the tenants’ broad catering offer – Berlin Döner Kebap, Shanghai Kuchnia Chiska (Chinees cousine) and Bistro Express, and also original space arrangement. The absolute hits of the design appeared to be wicker beach chairs which were placed as normal armchairs, and also a characteristic neon with the slogan of the food court: “Food on the beach”.   

Jacek Sikorski, the Director of Galeria Emka, admits that he is pleased with the result of the metamorphosis: “It is clearly visible that the renewed Emka is enjoyed by Koszalin citizens. We have worked very hard for the last 12 months so that the modernised Galeria Emka could meet the expectations of our Clients, but it was worth it. I hope that this would be their favourite place in Koszalin.”

Galeria Emka was opened in 2002 and is the longest operating shopping centre in Koszalin. The owner and manager of the gallery is London and Cambridge Sp. z o.o., which is the Polish branch of London & Cambridge Properties Ltd (LCP). It’s one of the biggest British companies on the property and private investor market in Europe which is specialized in commercial real estate. Currently, there are almost 70 premises within 22 thousand sqm of Galeria Emka’s surface area: 45 stores, 12 service points, restaurant, 4 catering premises, café and ice-cream shop, and also a playroom for children.