MAB and Waalwijk city council present leather theme centre in Waalwijk
A genuinely unique shoe and leather centre for the general public is to be developed in the Netherlands over the coming years between the A59 motorway and the city centre of Waalwijk. The centre in the heart of the province of North Brabant brings together the international shoe and leather trade, Dutch leather design, the education sector and cultural history in a multifunctional leather experience.
Waalwijk city council, the international shoe and leather industry, the education sector, the Midpoint Brabant partnership and various cultural and historical institutions have joined forces with MAB Development from The Hague, part of the Rabo Real estate Group, a full subsidiary of the Rabobank, to develop a fashion Valhalla for shoe and leather fans. Together the consortium will develop around 10,000 square metres of commercial, educational and cultural historic ‘experiences’ in Waalwijk in the years ahead.
Multifunctional function
Many renowned shoe and leather manufacturers have already shown an interest in commercial facilities in the dedicated theme centre. Educational institutes for shoe design and leather production from throughout the Netherlands have also indicated their interest in concentrating their activities in Waalwijk, a city that is renowned for its leather products. A ‘leather design academy’, a museum, a branch of the traditional shoe atelier Greve and scores of shoe and leather fashion accessory outlets will translate the city’s history into a treasure trove for the commercial future of Waalwijk and the De Langstraat area. The project is in line with the city council’s mission to be a ‘vital link in the central region of North Brabant’.
Historic opportunity
“This is quite literally a historic opportunity for the De Langstraat area,” says alderman Henk Heuverling, portfolio holder for the development of the centre of Waalwijk. “This centre offers the region a major economic and tourist/recreational impulse. The thematic positioning near the city centre with a direct connection to our shopping and entertainment area provides an ideal starting position for expansion.”
Inspiration for the fashion sector
The shoe and leather centre will function as an inspiration for the fashion sector. Once the centre of leather production in the Netherlands, Waalwijk still has a history-based and highly active trade sector with millions of shoes finding their way to consumers worldwide. Although shoe manufacturing has shifted to low-wage countries over recent decades, a clear trend is emerging of high-quality production returning to Europe.
Leading role for the region
The leather trade and production in the heart of the Brabant region have always been very important. With this new shoe and leather centre, Waalwijk is cashing in on its past to create a new future in the retail sector. The consortium expects that its magnetic appeal will annually attract numerous consumers to Waalwijk, boosting the growth potential of the local economy. MAB Development therefore presented the plans and their far-reaching consequences for leisure and fun shopping in the centre of the North Brabant province to Waalwijk city council and local shopkeepers this week.
MAB Development
The initiators are Waalwijk city council, Midpoint Brabant and Sell, while the project plans were further developed by MAB Development in collaboration with trade and industry. Sixteen major leather and shoe brands have already expressed their intention to participate in the project.
In addition to retail space, the new shoe and leather centre, located just off an exit of the A59 motorway, will include a garage for around 800 cars.