Primera shop in the Science Park closes and UU looks for new tenant

After twenty years in the Utrecht Science Park (USP), Primera closed its doors for good on July 21. The shop's owner, Jacqueline, had to do so due to health reasons. Primera used to sell stationery, office supplies, books, magazines and postcards. It also served as a PostNL spot, allowing USP residents to send and pick up packages there.

On July 25, UU started looking for a new tenant. The university would like a similar business to take the space as soon as possible, especially considering how convenient the package service was for USP residents. In an ad posted on Funda Business, UU says that at least 30 percent of the shop's 92.5 square metres should be used to sell stationery and office supplies. The business should also offer a package service during office hours. Selling smoking products is not allowed, neither is selling food and drinks.

Pieter-Jan Vergouwen, from Real Estate & Campus, is hoping that a suitable candidate will show up soon but he notes that it is hard to open this type of shop these days, given that people have been shopping online more and more. "We hope that someone will be interested in opening a similar shop to Primera here but if no candidates appear, we will be forced to look further. Maybe we will consider food and drink after all, or the university itself might make use of the space."

Pick-up point at UMCU
Now that Primera is closed, the closest place where packages can be dispatched is UMC Utrecht. According to a sales clerk at Huffels Delicatessen, footfall hasn't increased yet but they do expect an increase now that the academic year has begun. "We're just a small service point, though, we don't have a lot of space." Huffels Delicatessen only dispatches packages, it's not a spot to pick them up. 

If you need to pick up a package, there is a wall with DHL lockers at UMC Utrecht, by the entrance in the direction of the Hijmans van de Bergh building. It's called ‘De Buren Afhaalcentrum’. “Post NL could have a similar wall in the USP as well", suggests the clerk from Huffels Delicatessen.

The wall with DHL lockers at UMC Utrecht. Photo: DUB