Two years after acquiring the La Coupole shopping centre, the SOCRI LIMITED group has presented a very favourable initial assessment and detailed the first phase of the renovation works, which was completed today, at a press conference. THE FIRST PHASE OF THE RENOVATION WORKS: A MORE WELCOMING PLACE DE LA COUPOLE
A completely redesigned, more welcoming and pleasant square was presented to the press and members of the public in attendance today.
La Coupole de Nîmes had begun its transformation by adding plants to all the communal areas for a “nature in the city” feel. La Coupole de Nîmes is therefore more in keeping with the very DNA of the SOCRI LIMITED group, which designs welcoming living spaces in which nature is omnipresent. The first phase of the renovation works at La Coupole: a complete restructuring of the emblematic central area, with a budget of around one million euros.
This first stage, devised in collaboration with architect Julien PASSERIEUX and his teams at AURA, involves the installation of two monumental glass staircases, a planted pond and a complete overhaul of the flooring to make the square more elegant and convivial. Nicolas CHAMBON, Chairman of the SOCRI REIM group, adds: “With these unique staircases, our aim is to offer a real technical masterpiece to the people of Nîmes. These glass staircases mounted on a very light, curved structure are normally only found in iconic and luxurious locations. Nevertheless, our visitors deserve this feat of engineering and architecture so that they can rediscover an exceptional place like La Coupole! ”
THE REVIVAL OF LA COUPOLE DE NIMES IS UNDER WAY
ASSESSMENT OF THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OPERATIONS AT LA COUPOLE IN NIMES
Takeover figures
On 15 June 2021, SOCRI LIMITED celebrated the takeover of La Coupole de Nîmes with a cocktail party on the roof of the La Coupole car park. At this event, its Chairman, Nicolas CHAMBON, announced that he wanted to restore the shopping centre to its former glory and make it more attractive to shoppers. Two years on, the initial assessment is extremely positive. La Coupole de Nîmes has achieved sales for 2022 that are 18% higher than in 2019, demonstrating the effectiveness of SOCRI LIMITED’s management approach based on a significant strengthening of the teams on the ground, impeccable site management (cleanliness and safety) and a strong marketing drive. At the same time, the shopping centre recorded a 1.6% increase in footfall for 2022 compared with 2019. These results are all the more satisfactory given that over the same period, French shopping centres recorded an average decrease in footfall of 11%. SOCRI LIMITED’s sales teams have also worked to reduce the vacancy rate at La Coupole: five shops have opened since June 2021. Finally, connections with visitors to the shopping centre have been strengthened by the creation of a loyalty card and a gift card valid throughout La Coupole in Nîmes in June 2022, as well as the opening of an Instagram account which now has almost 16,000 followers! The centre’s brand new website will go live next month. Committed energy management
As part of the SOCRI LIMITED group’s environmental policy, La Coupole de Nîmes has introduced meticulous monitoring of its energy consumption. This action has resulted in a significant reduction of 28% in the shopping centre’s energy consumption, without compromising on visitor comfort, since the start of the year compared with 2022. Even though the tertiary sector decree calls for a 40% reduction in energy consumption by 2030 compared with the reference year (2011), La Coupole de Nîmes has already reduced its consumption by 55% compared with 2011. In addition, further work is planned to reduce consumption even more: replacement of the air-conditioning system with a low-energy system, installation of a protective film on the windows of La Coupole, installation of vents for natural ventilation, etc.
Beyond the legal texts, it is with conviction and concrete, effective actions that the SOCRI LIMITED group works every day to manage its sites responsibly. THE NEXT STEPS
The transformation of La Coupole will continue over the coming years. The SOCRI LIMITED group is continuing to work with the city of Nîmes to finalise a project inside La Coupole and around the space above Les Halles, the entrances and the area surrounding the centre.
This renovation, carried out jointly with that decided on by the city of Nîmes, will be presented at a later date once the overall project has been completed.
SOCRI LIMITED’s total investment in the renovation of La Coupole de Nîmes will therefore be more than 9 million euros.
The aim is that La Coupole will once again be the iconic, standard-setting shopping destination at the heart of the Écusson area of Nîmes, better promoted, better connected and fully able to play its role as a commercial powerhouse.
Press release – Montpellier – 1 Decembre 2022
