News
ARNE steps in to third UK store at Victoria Leeds
25th September 2026ARNE is set to open its third UK store at Redical’s Victoria Leeds shopping centre. The retailer will occupy a 3,658 sq ft store within Victoria Quarter, situated amongst a lineup of leading fashion and lifestyle brand. The store will offer ARNE’s full range across menswear, womenswear, and footwear. Mixed fashion has remained a standout category at Victoria Leeds, experiencing an 8% collective sales uplift year-on-year. The signing marks the next stage in ARNE’s continued expansion across the UK, eight years on from the brand’s founding. James Edmondson, asset manager at Redical, said: “Victoria Leeds remains distinct in its ability to secure brands with outstanding reputations and the quality offer to match. The destination continues to evolve because we’ve accumulated the best of the best tenants, and the signing of ARNE is entirely in keeping with this strategy. It not only reflects Victoria Leeds’ position as a prime asset, but also the intelligent leasing undertaken to give visitors the continuously refreshed, leading lifestyle destination they demand.” LM and Central Retail represented Redical. KLM Real Estate acted on behalf of ARNE.
Deals
UNIQLO to open second store in the South West at Bath’s SouthGate
25th September 2026UNIQLO is set to open its second store in the south west of England after signing at Landsec’s SouthGate shopping centre in Bath. Located on St Lawrence Street, adjacent to apple, the Japanese fashion retailer’s new store will span approximately 8,000 sq ft across two floors and offer products for men and women. The signing follows the arrival of Nobody’s Child earlier this month. The women’s fashion retailer opened its 11th standalone boutique at the centre, taking 1,500 sq ft and joining recent arrivals Space NK and PureSeoul. Kate Lea, head of shopping centre leasing at British Land, said: “UNIQLO is a fantastic addition to SouthGate and a great example of the high-quality brands we’re targeting as we continue to evolve its offer. A focus on quality, design and innovation makes it a great fit for Bath’s customer base, and alongside recent arrivals like Nobody’s Child and Space NK, it demonstrates the strength of occupier demand for the city and the momentum behind our leasing strategy. “We’re focused on creating the right mix of brands and experiences for our customers, while bringing new names to the city that give people even more reasons to visit SouthGate. We’re really looking forward […]
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
Opinion: Out of town retailers race for space in increasingly “sticky” market
23rd September 2026The 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
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
Pret a Manger to open at Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Leeds
23rd September 2026Pret a Manger is set to open a new café at Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Leeds this October. The operator’s new 2,124 sq ft space will offer the brand’s range of sandwiches, salads, hot food, snacks, and baked goods, alongside Pret a Manger’s seasonal menu. The signing of Pret a Manger comes as the centre looks to create a more dynamic and experience-led destination while strengthening the dining and café offer. Rachel Scott, head of leasing at Global Mutual, said: “Pret is an exciting addition to Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Leeds and reflects the strength of our vision for the destination. As we continue to evolve the centre, we’re focused on attracting best-in-class brands that not only strengthen the overall offer, but also create more reasons for visitors to stay longer, return more often and enjoy a full day-out experience. “Pret’s arrival is another clear marker of the momentum building at the centre and supports our ambition to deliver a vibrant and varied destination for our visitors.” McMullen Real Estate acted for Frasers Plus Designer Outlet.
