The British retailer will move from its current location at basements one and two, and set up a flagship store at level one.

Since Borders moved out, at least 10 retailers have expressed interest in the prime shop space. They included new players who do not have a presence in the Singapore scene just yet.

The 30,000 square foot area will double Marks & Spencer’s current shop size. It will also include a new homeware section, selling dining ware and fine living items.

The new store will open in the first half of 2012, while the current basement area will be returned to owners Wheelock Properties.

Sarah Lim-Lee Lay Huay, Section Head (Marketing & Retail) with Singapore Polytechnic, said: “I think B2 can be opened up for an F&B concept store, whereby there is open sitting. And because there’s also a lot of people walking up and down, it’s also a good place to see and be seen.”

Source : Channel NewsAsia – 20 Oct 2011

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Borders said it was “extremely disappointed” with its landlord of 13 years, but did not elaborate.

It also reassured the public that the store’s closure is not linked in any way to the shutdown of over 200 Borders stores in Australia and the US when its parent company filed for bankruptcy protection.

“We would emphasise that The Borders Singapore business is independent of these businesses and faces its own set of challenges and opportunities,” it said in a company statement.

“Borders Singapore continues to trade as usual from its Parkway Parade store, where we have a strong professional relationship with the landlord.”

Borders added that it will notify the public of any changes through notices on its website.

Wheelock Properties declined comment when contacted by MediaCorp and said the matter is being handled by its lawyers.

Source : Channel NewsAsia – 17 Aug 2011

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