BRAEHEAD owner Intu Properties has signed 71 new leases across its portfolio adding around £13 million in annual rental.

Among the company's signing up to take space at Braehead in the period from the start of July to November 3 were Yo Sushi! and Pret a Manger. The latest deals mean Intu has added £28m of annual rent this year by agreeing 169 leases.

Across its shopping centres, which include the Metrocentre and Manchester Arndale, Intu said footfall was running around one per cent ahead year-on-year although occupancy had fallen slightly since the end of June to 95 per cent.

The dip in occupancy was related to the closures of Phones4u and La Senza stores in the period and Intu predicted strong demand for units vacated by those retailers.

David Fischel, chief executive, said: "We are pleased to see continued improvement in demand for space."

Intu agreed £763m of new banking facilities in the period and have outlined plans to issue a £350m bond.