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.
Deals
British Land signs Black Sheep Coffee at two Scottish retail destinations
22nd September 2026British Land has secured a deal with Black Sheep Coffee that will see the coffee shop operator open new stores at Glasgow Fort and Fort Kinnaird. Black Sheep Coffee will occupy a 2,500 sq ft unit at Glasgow Fort and a 2,000 sq ft space at Fort Kinnaird, as British Land looks to welcome food and beverage operators that complement the existing retail and leisure offer. The signings build on wider leasing momentum across British Land’s Scottish portfolio, with chicken shop Wingstop opening at both retail parks this summer as part of a wider seven-site agreement with British Land. The openings also add to a period of continued investment across British Land’s Scottish portfolio. In May, British Land submitted plans for a 60,000 sq ft retail and leisure expansion at Glasgow Fort, including an extension of over 32,000 sq ft to the existing Marks & Spencer store and a new leisure offer featuring bowling, arcades, and other attractions. This was followed in June by plans for more than 42,500 sq ft of new retail and leisure space at Fort Kinnaird, including a new food store and an enhanced leisure offer. Ross McCall, retail leasing and commercialisation director at British Land, […]
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
Comment: Korean brands in the UK – from consumer trend to leasing opportunity
18th September 2026The rise of Korean brands in the UK is one of the clearest examples of how quickly international consumer trends can translate into mainstream demand. It is no longer a novelty to see Korean brands across food and beverage, supermarkets, and beauty taking space in leading shopping centres and performing strongly.
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
Tenpin strikes a deal at Queensgate Peterborough
22nd September 2026Bowling and entertainment operator Tenpin has signed to join the retail and leisure offer at Queensgate Peterborough. The operator is set to take a 23,000 sq ft unit as part of the centre’s £60m investment into its leisure offer. The new venue will offer an entertainment experience for families, friends, and corporate groups, featuring 20 bowling lanes, a bar, interactive darts, pool tables, private karaoke rooms, and an arcade. The new site will be Tenpin’s second in the region, and will join the existing Odeon – which is the city’s only IMAX cinema – as well as Putt & Play and the upcoming Umami World Buffet. Ed Ginn, director of Investment Management at Invesco Real Estate, said: “The performance of Queensgate’s leisure is going from strength to strength, and the centre’s transformation continues at pace with the addition of Tenpin. There is clear demand and desire for more competitive socialising in Peterborough, and we’re dedicated to fulfilling the needs and wants of our visitors. Given Queensgate’s dominant position in the city, Tenpin becomes another great pull, creating more family-friendly visits, multi-purpose trips, and longer stays.” Mark Willis, CEO at Tenpin, added: “We’re very excited to announce our new location at […]
