The Bridge Shopping Centre

The Bridge Shopping Centre is a small retail centre in Portsmouth, England. It opened in May 1989 on land formerly occupied by the Portsea Island Central Premises Co-Op. The centre was originally owned by Asda, whose supermarket served as its principal tenant and anchor retailer. Its retail mix has changed repeatedly over time, reflecting the conditions of a local shopping centre rather than a national destination mall. During much of the 2010s, particularly from 2010 through 2019, a majority of the units were reported to be vacant. Occupancy began to recover from 2020 as new shops and services returned to the centre. The centre combines everyday retail, personal services, food, charity and community-oriented uses. Reported occupants include an Asda store and optician, a barber, The Bridge Cafe, The Bed Store, Max Spielmann, Timpson, the Post Office, Savers, Tilly's Furniture, Wink Brow Bar, an RSPCA charity shop, Fratton Together Pantry, Player Reality virtual reality and Italian Furniture Outlet. The specific tenant roster is subject to change, as several businesses that previously traded at the centre have since left. Former occupants mentioned in reference material include Iceland, Superdrug, New Look, Select Fashion, Shoefayre, Clinton Cards, Goulds Jewellers, Age UK, Barnardo's, The Bridge Bookshop, Ethel Austin and other independent or specialist retailers. A major ownership change occurred in September 2023, when Portsmouth City Council purchased the centre from its previous ownership. The council stated plans to attract new tenants and introduce office space, indicating an intention to reposition the property as a broader mixed-use local asset rather than relying solely on conventional retail. This ownership transition is the principal recent strategic development associated with the centre. The Bridge Shopping Centre is locally focused and is not an internationally distributed consumer brand. Its relevance is primarily as a neighbourhood commercial property serving Portsmouth residents and nearby communities. In late October 2025, an electrical fire began in the Asda store. Firefighters attended and extinguished the fire rapidly, and no injuries were reported. Available reference material does not establish the extent of property damage or any lasting effect on the centre's operations.

The Bridge Shopping Centre was developed in Portsmouth on land that had previously been occupied by the Portsea Island Central Premises Co-Op. It opened in May 1989, with Asda as the original owner and principal tenant. The centre therefore began with a supermarket-led model supported by smaller retail units and services. Over subsequent decades, its tenant mix changed considerably. The centre hosted a combination of national chains, independent retailers, specialist stores, charities and service businesses. Former tenants included fashion, footwear, books, cards, jewellery, groceries, pharmacies, travel, furniture, food and leisure operators. This turnover reflected the changing economics of small shopping centres and the pressure on physical retail during the 2010s. From 2010 to 2019, most of the centre's shops were reported to be empty for much of the decade. Occupancy improved from 2020, when additional tenants began to return. The surviving and later-listed businesses covered essential retail and services, including Asda, a Post Office, Timpson, Max Spielmann, Savers, a cafe, furniture outlets, beauty services, charity retail and community-focused operations. In September 2023, Portsmouth City Council bought the centre. The council's stated direction was to seek new tenants and incorporate office accommodation, suggesting a future based on a broader mixture of retail, services and employment space. The acquisition also placed the property under local public-sector ownership, distinguishing its later phase from the earlier Asda-owned model. In late October 2025, an electrical fire occurred in the Asda store. Emergency crews put out the fire and no one was injured. The available reference does not provide a confirmed account of the damage, closure period or any subsequent redevelopment consequences.

• 2025

  Electrical fire at Asda

  [1]The Bridge Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  An electrical fire broke out in the Asda store in late October. Firefighters extinguished it and no injuries were reported.

• 2023

  Portsmouth City Council acquires the centre

  [1]The Bridge Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The council purchased The Bridge Shopping Centre in September and announced plans involving new tenants and office space.

• 2020

  Tenant occupancy begins to recover

  [1]The Bridge Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The centre began gaining tenants again after a prolonged period of high vacancy.

• 2010

  Extended period of low occupancy begins

  [1]The Bridge Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Reference material describes most of the centre's units as empty during much of the decade from 2010 to 2019.

• 1989

  Centre opens

  [1]The Bridge Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The Bridge Shopping Centre opened in May on former Portsea Island Central Premises Co-Op land, with Asda as its original owner and main tenant.

A neighbourhood shopping centre serving everyday retail, essential services, independent businesses and community uses in Portsmouth.

• Supermarket anchor · 1989

  Asda

  The centre's principal anchor retailer since its opening period, providing grocery and general merchandise shopping. The Asda presence has been central to the centre's original supermarket-led format and remains one of its most prominent listed occupants.

• Shopping-centre tenant mix

  Everyday retail and services

  The centre's broader offer consists of changing tenant businesses rather than products sold under a single house brand. Listed services and shops include a Post Office, pharmacy and personal-care retail, furniture, cafes, barbering, brow styling, photo processing, key cutting, charity retail and community-oriented provisions.

• 2023

  Municipal acquisition and proposed mixed-use repositioningM&A

  Background

  After years in which many units were vacant, Portsmouth City Council acquired the centre in September 2023.

  Action taken

  The council planned to attract new tenants and introduce office space alongside the existing retail function.

  Aftermath

  The available reference confirms the ownership change and proposed direction but does not provide later occupancy, investment or financial results.

  Source

1. 1The Bridge Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org