Hunter launches U.K. Retail Trust Fund

Hunter Real Estate Investment Managers has launched Hunter U.K. Retail Trust, a closed-end fund that will invest in blocks of underutilized retail assets situated in desirable high street locations across the United Kingdom.

The new fund has received an investment of £64 million ($97 million) from Aviva Multi Manager, which invested in the firm’s previous fund, Retail Plus Property Trust, a joint effort between Hunter and Rockspring Property Investment Managers. This will be supplemented with a conservative level of debt, taking projected gross assets to more than £100 million ($152 million).

Hunter is anticipating returns of around 10 percent for the Hunter U.K. Retail Trust, reflecting the fund’s sector specialization. The fund will focus on acquiring assets in thriving town centers catering to affluent, upper quartile catchment areas with strong retail and leisure offerings. 

The firm is currently in negotiations for th