News
ASK Partners appoints pair of senior managing partners
14th October 2026Real estate finance platform ASK Partners has appointed experienced real estate principals Greg Cohen and Mark Foster as managing partners. The pair will join co-founders Daniel Austin and Doug King in the senior leadership team, with Austin continuing as CEO. As part of their appointments, both will ultimately become equity partners in ASK. Since its launch in 2016, ASK has deployed over £2bn across over 160 real estate transactions and, in 2022, sold a 50% stake in the business to OakNorth Bank. Supported by OakNorth, the enlarged partnership will look to build on this track record to drive further growth in the lending business, broaden ASK’s investor base, and selectively pursue equity opportunities with experienced operating partners. Cohen brings over 20 years’ experience in real estate development and investment. He is a partner at Sterlet Properties, formerly Newmark Property Consultants, where he has been involved in the acquisition and development of more than 1.5 million sq ft across all use classes and in transactions with a combined sales value in excess of £500m. His experience includes joint ventures with Argo, Investec, and RBE Investments, as well as transactions with major institutions including Derwent, Aviva, and British Land. Foster brings experience […]
Deals
Lakeside to serve up 50,000 sq ft padel club
13th October 2026Lakeside shopping centre in Essex has signed Club de Padel for its third club in the UK and its first in the South of England. The padel operator’s new venue will span approximately 50,000 sq ft and comprise 12 courts, with four situated outdoors and eight located inside. The space will also feature a clubhouse with a licensed bar, that will also offer coffee, as well as equipment from the brand’s retail range. The space will host a varied lineup of additional events, including run clubs, to encourage repeat visits. Club de Padel will also deliver a coaching programme developed by LTA-qualified coaches, which will offer players a six-stage pathway approach. Robert Jewell, managing director of asset management at Pradera, said: “This multi-million-pound investment from Club de Padel not only forms part of a wider £10 million masterplan at Lakeside, but also demonstrates that leading brands continue to recognise the destination as a key, super-regional hub. Club de Padel will completely transform the space overlooking the lake, and will continue to drive our 17.1 million annual visitors to dwell longer and make memories. It reminds us that Lakeside is more than a place to shop; it’s a lifestyle destination designed […]
Requirements
Costa Coffee brews up further expansion
8th September 2026Costa 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
Alliance Retail Exchange: Retail space is the name of the game in the out-of-town market
2nd October 2026A lack of quality out-of-town space continues to be the challenge faced by retailers in 2026, according to the delegates Completely Retail News spoke to at September’s Alliance Retail Exchange (ARX) event. Demand for retail warehousing space remains high, but many retailers and operators are continuing to find a lack of churn to be the biggest obstacle to their expansion plans. As a result, rents are expected to grow, while landlords and prospective tenants are having to be more creative to create new opportunities in the out-of-town market. This may lead to the development of new stock, the splitting of existing units, or the creation of new formats. The event, which was sponsored by PureGym, was held at The Brewery in London and attracted over 500 delegates, including agents, landlords, and retailers. The morning of the event saw a welcome speech and breakfast before the floor was opened to dealmaking. This was followed by a presentation by Savills’ Sam Arrowsmith and George Trimmer, which looked at the lack of out-of-town space available to retailers. The presentation highlighted how, outside of drive through formats and bespoke discount grocery stores, no new stock is coming to the market. That said, the general […]
Advice
Turn lease events from growing pains into commercial gains
10th March 2026By 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
Jigsaw opens second outlet store at Braintree Village
13th October 2026Jigsaw has opened its second outlet store in the UK at Landsec’s Braintree Village in Essex. The British fashion brand’s new space spans 1,787 sq ft and offers a range of clothing, footwear, and accessories. The opening builds on leasing momentum at Braintree Village, following the recent arrivals of British fashion brands Mint Velvet, Whistles, Hobbs and Phase Eight. Across its outlets at Braintree Village, Gunwharf Quays, and Clarks Village, Landsec said it uses its wider retail portfolio relationships and extensive customer data and insight to identify brands with the potential to succeed in the outlet format, helping them reach new audiences. Amy de Groot, retail asset director at Landsec, said: “Jigsaw choosing Braintree Village for only its second UK outlet is a great example of the new brands and concepts we want to bring to our outlet destinations. “Jigsaw adds to a strong run of premium British fashion arrivals at Braintree Village and gives our customers another reason to keep coming back.”
