The Glades
A major shopping centre in Bromley, Greater London, offering retail, dining and boutique shopping space.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Glades is a shopping centre in Bromley, Greater London, England. It opened on 22 October 1991 after a public competition invited Bromley residents to suggest a name. The winning name, “The Glades,” referred to Bromley’s historical association with wooded landscapes and clearings. The centre was developed as a prominent retail destination connected with Bromley town centre and the local high street. The centre provides approximately 464,000 square feet, or 43,100 square metres, of combined retail space and accommodates around 135 stores. Its tenant mix has included major national and international retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Boots, Waterstones, Zara, H&M, New Look, Superdrug, Apple, Claire’s, Jack Wills, Game and David Clulow. The scheme also incorporates Regent Arcade, a smaller parade of boutique units extending from Elmfield Road toward the former Debenhams area and linking with the lower mall beneath Waterstones. The Glades has been expanded and adapted several times. Building work began in autumn 2006 on a roughly £25 million extension close to the main entrance. The project required the demolition of two high-street buildings and the removal or reconfiguration of some existing centre units. Further internal changes included the enlargement of the mezzanine above the River Island premises in 2009, allowing menswear and staff facilities to be reorganised. The centre was temporarily rebranded as Intu Bromley in summer 2013, following the change of name of its then-parent Capital Shopping Centres Group to Intu Properties. In October 2015, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation agreed to acquire the interests held by Intu Properties and CGNU/Aviva in a transaction valued at £177 million. The transaction gave Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation an 85% interest, while Bromley Council retained 15%. Completion occurred toward the end of 2016, after which the Intu identity was removed and the original The Glades name restored. A restaurant extension was completed in July 2016, adding space for five restaurants and broadening the centre’s offer beyond conventional retail. Reported occupiers included Wagamama, Byron Hamburgers, Giraffe World Kitchen and Ed’s Easy Diner. Project Pie also opened in the restaurant terrace but closed within a short period. The Glades therefore combines department-store and high-street retail, smaller independent or boutique units, food and beverage, and integration with Bromley’s wider town-centre shopping environment.
History
The Glades is a Bromley shopping centre that opened on Tuesday 22 October 1991. Its name was chosen through a competition asking Bromley residents for suggestions. The winning entry reflected the area’s historic wooded character and helped give the development a locally grounded identity. The centre became an important part of Bromley’s town-centre retail offer, combining large stores, fashion shops, specialist retailers and services. Its reported size is approximately 464,000 square feet, or 43,100 square metres, with around 135 stores. The scheme includes the main mall and Regent Arcade, a smaller boutique parade running from Elmfield Road toward the former Debenhams site and connecting with the lower mall beneath Waterstones. The Glades has undergone physical expansion and internal reconfiguration. Work began in autumn 2006 on a major extension near the main entrance. The approximately £25 million project involved demolishing two buildings on the high street and removing or altering several existing units. In 2009, the mezzanine associated with the River Island unit was expanded into previously unused space. Menswear was moved to the enlarged upper level, while staff facilities were reorganised on the ground floor. A corporate identity change occurred in 2013. After Capital Shopping Centres Group changed its name to Intu Properties, the Bromley centre was rebranded Intu Bromley. This name reflected its membership of the Intu shopping-centre portfolio rather than a change in the centre’s location or retail function. Ownership changed during the middle of the decade. In October 2015, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation agreed to acquire the holdings of Intu Properties and CGNU/Aviva in a transaction reported at £177 million. The deal resulted in Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation holding 85% of the centre, while the London Borough of Bromley retained 15%. Completion took place toward the end of 2016. After the transaction, the Intu branding was removed and the original The Glades name was restored. The centre also increased its food-and-beverage capacity. A restaurant extension, known as the Restaurant Terrace, was completed in July 2016 and was designed to accommodate five restaurants. Reported tenants included Wagamama, Byron Hamburgers, Giraffe World Kitchen and Ed’s Easy Diner. Project Pie also operated there briefly before closing. This expansion complemented the existing retail mix and strengthened the centre’s role as a combined shopping and leisure destination. Major stores reported at The Glades have included Marks & Spencer, Boots, Waterstones, Zara, H&M, David Clulow, Game, New Look, Superdrug, Apple, Claire’s and Jack Wills. The centre’s current tenant roster, ownership operations and website status may change over time; the available reference material establishes the historical and structural details but does not provide a complete current directory.
- 2016
Restaurant Terrace completed
[1]The centre completes a restaurant extension intended to accommodate five new food-and-beverage operators.
- 2016
Ownership transfer completed
[1]The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation transaction completes toward the end of the year, with Bromley Council retaining a minority interest.
- 2016
Original name restored
[1]Following the sale, the Intu identity is removed and the centre returns to the The Glades name.
- 2015
Majority-interest sale announced
[1]Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation agrees to acquire the interests held by Intu Properties and CGNU/Aviva, creating an intended 85% holding.
- 2013
Intu Bromley identity introduced
[1]The centre is renamed Intu Bromley after its parent company adopts the Intu Properties name.
- 2009
River Island mezzanine is expanded
[1]The mezzanine above the River Island premises is extended, allowing menswear and staff facilities to be rearranged.
- 2006
Main-entrance extension begins
[1]Construction starts on a major extension close to the main entrance, with reported project costs of approximately £25 million.
- 1991
The Glades opens
[1]The shopping centre opens in Bromley on 22 October under the name selected through a local naming competition.
Products and positioning
A regional town-centre shopping destination serving Bromley and surrounding areas through a broad mix of national chains, department-store retail, boutique units and restaurants.
Shopping centre · 1991
Main shopping mall
The principal retail area contains a broad mix of fashion, department-store, beauty, health, books, entertainment, technology and specialist retailers. Reported major occupiers have included Marks & Spencer, Boots, Zara, H&M, New Look, Superdrug, Apple, Claire’s, Jack Wills, Game, Waterstones and David Clulow.
Boutique retail parade
Regent Arcade
Regent Arcade is a smaller parade of boutique shops forming part of the wider centre. It runs from Elmfield Road near the street entrance toward the former Debenhams area and connects with the lower mall beneath Waterstones.
Dining extension · 2016
The Restaurant Terrace
Completed in July 2016, the Restaurant Terrace expanded the centre’s food-and-beverage offer with space for five restaurants. Reported operators included Wagamama, Byron Hamburgers, Giraffe World Kitchen and Ed’s Easy Diner.
Brand decisions
2016
Expand the dining offerProduct launchBackground
The centre sought to broaden its offer beyond conventional shopping and create additional restaurant capacity.
Action taken
A new Restaurant Terrace extension was completed with space for five restaurants, including several named national operators.
Aftermath
The extension added a dedicated dining component, although Project Pie reportedly closed within months of opening.
2015
Agree the sale of the majority interestM&ABackground
Intu Properties and CGNU/Aviva held interests in the centre, while the London Borough of Bromley retained a separate stake.
Action taken
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation agreed to acquire the relevant interests in a reported £177 million transaction, giving it an intended 85% holding.
Aftermath
The transaction completed toward the end of 2016, with Bromley Council retaining 15% and the centre subsequently returning to its original name.
Reported transaction value. £177 million (2015 agreement)
2013
Adopt the Intu Bromley identityStrategyBackground
The centre’s parent company changed its corporate name from Capital Shopping Centres Group to Intu Properties.
Action taken
The Bromley shopping centre was rebranded Intu Bromley as part of the wider portfolio identity.
Aftermath
The Intu name was later withdrawn after the centre left the Intu portfolio.
Recent events
- 2016
Restaurant Terrace completed[1]
Product launch
A new restaurant extension was completed in July, adding space for operators including Wagamama, Byron Hamburgers, Giraffe World Kitchen and Ed’s Easy Diner.
- 2016
Ownership transfer completed and The Glades name restored[1]
M&A · Leadership change
The acquisition by Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation was completed toward the end of 2016. The Intu branding was subsequently withdrawn and the original The Glades identity returned.
- 2015
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation agrees to acquire an 85% interest[1]
M&A
Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation agreed to buy the interests held by Intu Properties and CGNU/Aviva in a reported £177 million transaction, with Bromley Council retaining a 15% stake.
- 2013
The centre is rebranded as Intu Bromley[1]
Other
The centre adopted the Intu Bromley name following the rebranding of its parent company, Capital Shopping Centres Group, as Intu Properties.
- 2006
Main-entrance extension begins[1]
Other
Construction began on an approximately £25 million extension near the centre’s principal entrance, involving the demolition of two high-street buildings and changes to existing units.
- 1991
The Glades opens in Bromley[1]
Other
The Bromley shopping centre opened on 22 October 1991 under the name The Glades, selected through a naming competition involving local residents.
Sources1 sources
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