News

Trio of jewellery retailers renew at Meadowhall

Meadowhall in Sheffield has welcomed the renewals of three aspirational jewellery retailers. Goldsmiths has renewed at its 5,571 sq ft unit on Upper High Street, which incorporates a dedicated Rolex boutique alongside the jeweller’s core offer. The new shop-in-shop offers a range of Rolex watches, complemented by a dedicated pre-owned section. Meanwhile, Swarovski has recommitted to its 1,223 sq ft space on Lower High Street. The brand looks to appeal to customers seeking statement pieces, gifting, and occasion jewellery, as well as everyday accessories. Finally, Austen & Blake, the specialist fine jeweller and diamond retailer, has also recommitted to Meadowhall, re-investing in an 1,205 sq ft upsized unit, almost double that of its previous space. Customers at the store are able to personalise designs through choices of diamond shape, carat, metal, and setting, with pieces made to order. These renewals come as the jewellery category at Meadowhall records a 8.5% year-to-date uplift in sales, compared to August 2025. Other jewellery retailers at Meadowhall include Beaverbrooks, Breitling, Ernest Jones, and OMEGA. Richard Crowther, retail leasing director at British Land, said: “Fundamentally, we understand what our customers want and value from a shopping experience. We have a diverse customer base that wants […]

Deals

Independent pub group picks Covent Garden for newest venue

Ardent Pub Group has signed for a new venue, ‘The Magpie’, at Shaftesbury Capital’s Covent Garden estate in London. The independent pub group – which operates The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea, The George in Fitzrovia, and The Hound in Chiswick – will take a 5,000 sq ft space at 142 Shaftesbury Avenue. The venue will span across three floors and serve 140 covers, joining a number of food and beverage operators at Covent Garden. The signing follows the recent openings of Mr Fogg’s Market Tavern, Burro by Conor Gadd in Floral Court, and Buvette by Jody Williams in Neal’s Yard. Casette has also signed for a space on Maiden Lane. The opening of The Magpie forms part of Ardent’s growth programme which is backed by strong trading, with over 25% year-on-year sales growth and a 40% year-on-year uplift in group EBITDA, as it targets new openings across London and beyond over the next three to five years. Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “I’m excited about The Magpie because there’s such a personal story behind it. Dom’s family connection to the pub and the wider Soho neighbourhood gives a real sense of authenticity, while his ambition to create […]

Requirements

Costa Coffee brews up further expansion

Costa Coffee has unveiled its latest property requirements as it looks to continue its expansion across England, Scotland, and Wales. The coffee shop chain, working with its long-standing partner Savills, is looking to open new locations in retail parks and shopping centres, as well as on high streets and within travel locations. Costa Coffee is also looking to open drive-through units in out-of-town retail locations. Ideal units will range in size between 1,250 sq ft and 2,200 sq ft and be located adjacent to foodstores, retail warehousing, and leisure space. Within retail parks, Costa is seeking units ranging between 1,500 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft in size with external seating. Freestanding or in-line units will be considered, with nearby car parking a necessity. Ideal units will be situated in out-of-town locations with significant traffic flow, adjacent to foodstores, and retail and leisure clusters. In high street and shopping centre destinations, Costa is looking for units between 1,500 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft with outside seating. Locations such as universities, hospitals, and leisure destinations will also be considered. The operator is also looking to open new sites within travel locations such as transport hubs and train stations with significant […]

Insights

Opinion: Out of town retailers race for space in increasingly “sticky” market

The out of town retail market is facing supply challenges due to a very limited development pipeline and existing occupiers increasingly looking to remain in situ. With extremely tight vacancy in this market, the challenge is not a lack of appetite for space, but whether a suitable unit will become available at all.

Advice

Turn lease events from growing pains into commercial gains

By Simon Matley, director for dilapidations and occupier services at TFT After a period of acquisition, a large commercial retail portfolio can become either a major liability or a powerful cost saver for retailers who need every advantage they can get in a challenging consumer market. For national multiples and high street brands, often with sizeable portfolios numbering in the hundreds of units, or for smaller regional operations that are growing at speed, flexibility and control are hugely important. Brands today are adapting their portfolios in light of changing consumer behaviour and omni-channel retailing, and this is shaped by the increasingly sophisticated data capture that allows them to better understand stock, fulfilment, customer behaviour, and operations. For many who have been acquiring premises over the past 10 years, they will almost certainly find that data allows them to be more efficient in the space they need, not least because of the growth of last mile logistics and on demand deliveries which enables occupiers to be nimble in how they use their spaces. Whether they operate on the high street, in retail parks or rely on distribution centres, retailers want to scale fast, explore new territory and snap up the right […]

News

River Island debuts new store concept at Centre:mk

River Island has unveiled its latest store concept at Centre:mk in Milton Keynes, a first for the retailer. The 12,800 sq ft store, which spans over two floors, looks to deliver a more elevated, engaging and customer-centric shopping experience. The first-of-its-kind concept features an enhanced exterior and homes the brand new “River-Runway” installation, a visual feature that exhibits runway-inspired looks and the latest trends, in addition to a new denim department that showcases an expanded selection of products. The new centre:mk store also features modernised fitting rooms, as well as a newly designed layout and debut technology, all aimed at further enhancing the customer journey. The technology includes weight-sensing self-service checkouts which use radio frequency identification technology, and WW Smart Fitting Rooms, where guests can request alternative sizes and products without leaving the cubicle. Kevin Duffy, centre director at Centre:mk, said: “The debut of River Island’s new concept store at Centre:mk brings something fresh to the destination’s existing quality line up of fashion retailers. Our wide catchment values quality concepts, and we’re delighted that Centre:mk can be the first to bring this new concept to market. It really affirms the scheme’s position as a best-in-retail destination” Mel Aucott, retail director at […]