Hammerson collects just 41 per cent of rent due as Covid-19 restrictions hit trade

Bosses said £61.5 million was due but only £28.8 million was paid. Across its UK portfolio flagship sites, which tend to be found in city centres, just 36% of rent was paid, although it was higher at retail parks with 64% of rents collected.

Hammerson added that in the first three weeks of 2021 a quarter of its sites in the UK remain open either due to being “essential” retailers, non-essential stores offering click and collect services, or restaurants and cafes providing deliveries and takeaways.

In the final three months of 2020 the company said it benefitted from the lifting of the English lockdown prior to the Covid-19 tiering system, although city centre-focused shopping centres saw footfall at just 60% of the levels of a year ago.

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