The Mall Luton
The Mall Luton was the former name of a major enclosed shopping centre in Luton, Bedfordshire, now known as Luton Point.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Mall Luton was the trading name of a large enclosed shopping centre in central Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The centre opened in 1972 as the Arndale Shopping Centre and became an important part of Luton's commercial core. Local residents continued to call it “The Arndale” even after later changes to its formal branding. The shopping centre occupies a site that was cleared and redeveloped during the 1960s and early 1970s. That clearance removed a number of older buildings, including structures that had survived the Second World War. The completed centre provided a concentrated retail destination in the town centre, linking shopping, food and other consumer services with central transport and civic areas. In January 2006, the centre was acquired by Capital & Regional. During the ownership period associated with The Mall brand, it was briefly referred to as The Mall Arndale before becoming commonly known as The Mall Luton. The centre was subsequently expanded and modernised, particularly at its St George’s Square entrance. The redevelopment added approximately 8,825 square metres of retail space across eight units and created a new six-storey building with a direct entrance from St George’s Square. Additional parking was also provided. Although completion was initially planned for 2009, financing difficulties during the recession delayed the project, and the extension was completed in 2012. The St George’s Square works were intended to improve the centre’s visibility and relationship with the surrounding town centre. TK Maxx served as a major anchor tenant for the extension, while Argos also took space there. At its reported larger scale, the centre contained approximately 147 shop units, around 906,850 square feet of accommodation, and parking for about 1,707 cars, although published figures vary according to whether particular development phases or areas are included. A further Northern Gateway proposal submitted in 2007 envisaged a much larger mixed-use redevelopment between the centre and Luton railway station. The plans included larger retail units, housing and offices, as well as changes affecting Silver Street, Bute Street, Cheapside and part of Guildford Street. The proposal attracted criticism because it would have involved the demolition of listed and locally listed buildings, including historic hat-factory structures associated with Luton's industrial heritage. English Heritage and the Victorian Society raised objections, after which amendments to the application were discussed. The centre was renamed Luton Point in 2024. Reference material also states that a later renaming to Frasers Plus Luton was planned or scheduled for 2026. Accordingly, The Mall Luton is best understood as a former commercial brand and historical name for the same shopping-centre entity rather than as a separate retail company. Its present and future branding should be distinguished from the brands of the individual retailers operating inside the centre.
History
The shopping centre now identified with the Luton Point article began as the Arndale Shopping Centre, which opened in 1972 in central Luton. The development followed extensive clearance during the 1960s. A number of older buildings, including some that had survived wartime damage, were demolished to create the modern retail complex. Its opening formed part of the post-war restructuring of Luton's town centre and created a substantial enclosed shopping destination for the town and its surrounding communities. The centre's original Arndale identity remained influential for decades. Even after later rebranding, many local people continued to refer to the site as “The Arndale.” The property was acquired by Capital & Regional in January 2006. It was temporarily described as The Mall Arndale and subsequently became known as The Mall Luton, aligning it with the wider The Mall naming convention. A major phase of redevelopment focused on the centre's relationship with St George’s Square. The project created approximately 8,825 square metres of additional retail space across eight new units and introduced a six-storey building with a prominent entrance directly onto the square. Escalators connected that entrance to the principal mall level, while three levels of parking at the top of the development added roughly 200 spaces. The extension was intended to provide more modern and visible shopfronts and to connect the shopping centre more effectively with the civic and public realm improvements around St George’s Square. The redevelopment was originally expected to finish in September 2009. Funding was delayed during the recession, however, and the work was eventually completed in 2012. TK Maxx was identified as the principal new anchor tenant for the extension, with Argos also taking a unit. Published descriptions of the completed centre report approximately 147 shop units and parking for about 1,707 cars. The total area is reported differently in different accounts, with figures including approximately 906,850 square feet and, after development, approximately 77,199 square metres or 831,000 square feet. The centre was also connected with a more ambitious Northern Gateway proposal submitted in December 2007. This plan contemplated much larger retail premises together with housing and office space on land between the shopping centre and Luton railway station. It would have involved substantial changes to Silver Street, Bute Street, one side of Cheapside and part of Guildford Street. The proposal was controversial because it threatened two Grade II listed buildings and several locally listed structures, including nineteenth-century hat factories that represented an important part of Luton's manufacturing history. English Heritage and the Victorian Society criticised the scheme. The centre stated that amendments were being made following discussions with council officers, but the available reference material does not establish the final implementation of the larger proposal. In 2024, the centre was renamed Luton Point. Reference material further indicates a planned or scheduled transition to the Frasers Plus Luton name in 2026. The Mall Luton should therefore be treated as a historical brand identity for the shopping centre rather than a standalone retailer. Its commercial offer consists of leased retail, food, service and leisure units, supported by customer parking and its position within Luton's central shopping district.
- 2026
Planned Frasers Plus Luton branding
[1]Reference material identifies Frasers Plus Luton as the name planned for the centre from 2026.
- 2024
Renamed Luton Point
[1]The centre adopts the Luton Point name after its period as The Mall Luton.
- 2012
St George’s Square redevelopment completed
[1]The extension and remodelling project is completed, adding retail space, a new entrance and additional parking.
- 2009
Original extension completion target
[1]The St George’s Square extension is initially planned for completion, but financing delays associated with the recession postpone the work.
- 2007
Northern Gateway application
[1]A planning application proposes a larger mixed-use redevelopment between the shopping centre and Luton railway station.
- 2006
Acquisition by Capital & Regional
[1]Capital & Regional purchases the centre in January, beginning a period associated with The Mall branding.
- 1972
Arndale Shopping Centre opens
[1]The shopping centre opens in central Luton under the Arndale name.
Products and positioning
A central, mainstream shopping and services destination serving Luton and the surrounding Bedfordshire area, with a broad tenant mix and integration with the town centre.
Shopping-centre retail space · 1972
Retail units
The centre's principal offering is a portfolio of leased retail units serving fashion, general merchandise, health and beauty, household needs and everyday shopping. At its reported larger scale, the complex contained approximately 147 units, allowing it to function as a broad town-centre retail destination rather than a single-category shopping venue.
Retail development · 2012
St George’s Square extension
The St George’s Square project added approximately 8,825 square metres of retail space across eight units and created a new six-storey building with a direct entrance from the square. TK Maxx was identified as the anchor tenant and Argos also occupied a unit. The development was completed in 2012 after recession-related delays.
Visitor service · 1972
Customer parking
The shopping centre provides multi-level customer parking. Reference material reports capacity for approximately 1,707 cars and describes roughly 200 additional spaces associated with the St George’s Square development.
Brand decisions
2024
Rebranding as Luton PointStrategyBackground
The shopping centre had operated under The Mall Luton after earlier Arndale identities.
Action taken
The centre changed its public name to Luton Point.
Aftermath
The Mall Luton became a historical name for the same shopping-centre entity, while local familiarity with the older Arndale name remained part of its identity.
2012
Completion of St George’s Square redevelopmentOtherBackground
The centre sought to modernise its retail offer and improve its connection with the remodelled St George’s Square.
Action taken
An extension with eight retail units, a new entrance and additional parking was completed after funding delays.
Aftermath
The centre gained a more prominent civic-square frontage and additional accommodation, including space occupied by TK Maxx and Argos.
2007
Northern Gateway redevelopment proposalStrategyBackground
The centre proposed a large expansion and mixed-use redevelopment on land between the mall and Luton railway station.
Action taken
The planning proposal included larger retail units, housing and offices and changes to several surrounding streets.
Aftermath
English Heritage and the Victorian Society criticised the potential loss of listed and historic buildings. The centre indicated that amendments were being made after discussions with council officers.
2006
Capital & Regional acquisitionM&ABackground
The long-established Arndale shopping centre was transferred to Capital & Regional ownership in January 2006.
Action taken
Capital & Regional acquired the centre and subsequently associated it with The Mall branding.
Aftermath
The property was temporarily called The Mall Arndale and later became known as The Mall Luton.
Sources2 sources
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