Britannia Centre Spandau
Former community, retail and welfare centre serving the British military community in Berlin.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Britannia Centre Spandau was a community and commercial complex created for the British military presence in Berlin. Originally known as the British Forces Families Centre, it brought together shopping, welfare, employment, broadcasting, travel, financial and recreational services for personnel and families associated with the Berlin Infantry Brigade and other British authorities. The complex stood in Wilhelmstadt, Spandau, at the junction of Wilhelmstraße and Gatower Straße, beside the former Smuts Barracks and on the site previously occupied by Spandau Prison. The centre emerged from a long-running effort to replace older British community facilities. Summit House on Theodor-Heuss-Platz had opened as a NAAFI club in 1946, but its functions became increasingly inadequate as the needs of the British garrison changed. A 1977 study recommended a new facility. The redevelopment was linked to the future of Spandau Prison, whose continued existence was addressed through Four Power diplomacy. An agreement reached in 1982 included the expectation that the prison would be demolished after the death of its final inmate, Rudolf Hess. Hess died on 17 August 1987, and demolition began five weeks later, concluding on 4 November 1987. Construction of the replacement centre began in May 1988. The development was built by the Property Services Agency for the British authorities and combined a new shopping and cinema complex with five refurbished two- and three-storey buildings. It was completed on 18 September 1990 and opened in phases from September 1990 through mid-1991. The name Britannia Centre was selected through a competition that attracted more than 40 proposals. The complex was sometimes informally called “Hessco’s,” a play on Tesco and the prison’s last occupant, although that nickname was not its formal identity. Its facilities included a NAAFI supermarket-style shop and administration, NAAFI Financial Services, a British Forces Post Office sub-office, hairdressing, a YMCA book and gift shop, a Burger King restaurant, a wool shop, a thrift shop, a tailor facility, travel services, child-minding, welfare offices, an Anglo-German Club and military administrative functions. Broadcasting and technical services were represented by the Services Sound and Vision Corporation, including BFBS studios, offices and engineering workshops. The cinema, known as the Jerboa, provided 230 seats and was accompanied by a public-information area, bus waiting area and bank cash machine. The centre’s original role ended after the British military withdrawal from Berlin. When the Berlin Infantry Brigade was dissolved in mid-1994, the Britannia Centre name disappeared and the property became a conventional local shopping complex. Retailers including Kaiser's Tengelmann, Aldi and Media Markt occupied parts of the site. Media Markt left the principal shopping area in late 2008, and the resulting vacancy contributed to redevelopment pressure. The cinema building was subsequently used by Aldi, but its tenancy ended in October 2011. Contracts for the cinema and main shopping complex were terminated, while Kaiser's left at the end of December 2011. By May 2013, the cinema complex had been demolished and the shopping centre had been substantially altered. Its large glass dome was also removed. A Kaufland supermarket centre opened in the redeveloped shopping space on 20 June 2013. Several older two- and three-storey buildings survived and were later used for doctors’ surgeries and other businesses. These structures are protected as listed landmarks in Berlin’s official heritage register, although the two principal modern buildings did not have the same protection and could not be preserved through the relevant Spandau district authority’s landmark powers. The Britannia Centre therefore survives mainly through its remaining historic structures and its connection with the former British presence in Berlin, rather than as an operating centre.
History
Britannia Centre Spandau was established as a purpose-built service centre for the British military community in Berlin. Its institutional predecessor was Summit House on Theodor-Heuss-Platz, which opened as a NAAFI club on 1 August 1946. Over time, Summit House was adapted to changing requirements, but by the 1970s the British authorities considered a more comprehensive replacement necessary. A 1977 study recommended a new facility capable of bringing together retail, welfare and administrative functions. The choice of site was connected to the future of Spandau Prison. A Four Power Agreement in 1982 addressed the prison’s eventual demolition after the death of Rudolf Hess, its sole remaining inmate. Hess died on 17 August 1987. Demolition started approximately five weeks later and was completed on 4 November 1987, making the site available for redevelopment. The Property Services Agency built the new centre for the British authorities. Work began in May 1988, and the finished complex was completed on 18 September 1990. The name Britannia Centre was selected through a public competition with more than 40 entries. The development combined a purpose-built shopping and cinema complex with five existing buildings that were refurbished for community, welfare, administrative and broadcasting uses. Opening took place in stages between September 1990 and mid-1991. At its height, the centre operated as a compact British community infrastructure. Its services included NAAFI retail and administration, financial services, a post-office sub-office, a YMCA shop, hairdressing, a Burger King restaurant, welfare and travel offices, a child-minding centre, a thrift shop, a tailor, an Anglo-German Club and military support offices. The SSVC and BFBS presence provided studios, offices, engineering facilities and broadcasting-related services. The Jerboa cinema had 230 seats and served as the complex’s principal entertainment venue. The centre’s original identity ended when the Berlin Infantry Brigade was dissolved in mid-1994. The property then became an ordinary shopping centre rather than a dedicated British forces institution. Kaiser's Tengelmann, Aldi, Media Markt and smaller businesses occupied the site at different times. Media Markt departed in late 2008, and the resulting vacancy was followed by plans for redevelopment. In 2011, a development company sought permission to remove the cinema complex. Aldi, which had occupied that building, left in October 2011, and the Kaiser's tenancy in the main shopping complex ended on 31 December 2011. The cinema building had disappeared by May 2013, and the wider property had been extensively altered. The prominent glass dome was removed, and a Kaufland centre opened on 20 June 2013. The remaining older two- and three-storey buildings were later used by medical practices and other businesses. These structures are protected under Berlin’s official heritage listing, while the two principal modern buildings lacked equivalent protection. The Britannia Centre is therefore a historical site and former military-community brand rather than an active operating centre.
- 2013
Redeveloped retail centre opens
[1]A Kaufland centre opened on 20 June after major alterations and removal of the cinema building.
- 1994
British military-community operation ends
[1]The Berlin Infantry Brigade was dissolved, after which the centre lost its Britannia Centre identity.
- 1991
Opening phases conclude
[1]The centre’s facilities became operational through mid-1991.
- 1990
Britannia Centre Spandau is completed
[1]The complex was completed on 18 September and began opening in phases.
- 1988
Construction begins
[1]Construction of the new British Forces Families Centre began in May.
- 1987
Spandau Prison is demolished
[1]Following Hess’s death on 17 August, demolition began five weeks later and finished on 4 November.
- 1982
Four Power Agreement addresses Spandau Prison’s future
[1]Diplomatic arrangements linked the prison’s eventual demolition to the death of Rudolf Hess, enabling later redevelopment of the site.
- 1977
Study recommends a new community facility
[1]A study identified the need for a replacement facility better suited to the evolving needs of British personnel and families in Berlin.
- 1946
Summit House opens as a NAAFI club
[1]The British community’s principal predecessor facility opened on Theodor-Heuss-Platz and was later adapted as requirements changed.
Products and positioning
A one-stop community and retail hub for British armed forces personnel, families and associated civilian services in Cold War and post-Cold War Berlin.
Retail · 1990
NAAFI A-type shop
The centre’s principal British forces retail outlet, providing everyday shopping for military personnel, families and associated community users.
Entertainment · 1990
Jerboa cinema
A 230-seat cinema forming part of the purpose-built entertainment complex. It operated alongside a public-information area, bus waiting area and ATM.
Broadcasting · 1990
SSVC and BFBS facilities
Studios, offices and engineering workshops supported Services Sound and Vision Corporation activities and British Forces Broadcasting Service operations for the Berlin military community.
Community services · 1990
Community and welfare services
The complex housed welfare, employment, travel, childcare, administrative and social facilities, including HIVE, BMWS, the Brigade Travel Office, child minding and the Anglo-German Club.
Brand decisions
2011
Application to demolish the cinema complexOtherBackground
After the centre had become a conventional shopping property and major tenants had departed, a development company sought permission to remove the cinema building.
Action taken
The cinema complex was subsequently demolished, with the building gone by May 2013.
Aftermath
The site was substantially redeveloped, the former glass dome was removed, and a Kaufland centre opened in June 2013.
Sources2 sources
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