News
Hush expands omnichannel offering with opening of first full price stores
28th September 2026Hush is set to open its first three full price stores in Bluewater, Guildford, and Marlow this October. The openings form part of the premium womenswear retailer’s strategy to pair its established digital presence with a physical retail experience. Founded in London in 2003 by Australian Mandy Watkins, Hush looks to curate a modern wardrobe designed to feel effortless, considered, and easy to wear. Each location has been chosen to support the retailer’s target customer: Bluewater gives Hush a presence in one of the UK’s leading retail destinations, with reach across the South East. Guildford brings the brand into a premium and affluent retail environment with a strong fashion customer base, while Marlow, with its vibrant high street and community feel, reflects a local and relationship-led retail experience. Sarah Miles, CEO of Hush, said “Opening our first full price stores is an important moment for Hush and for the next stage ofour growth. Our customers have always connected with us online, but they also tell us how much they value the chance toexperience the brand in person – to try pieces on, feel the fabrics, get styling advice and spend time with the collection in amore personal way. “Digital and […]
Deals
Shaftesbury Capital welcomes duo of debuts in Soho
25th September 2026Shaftesbury Capital has signed South American-inspired chicken and steak eatery Solis for its first standalone UK location at 26 Kingly Street in Soho, following the debut of smashburger specialist Dumbo at nearby 37 Berwick Street. Solis’s 1,500 sq ft space will offer an array of small plates, a take on the South American bocadillo sandwich, and signature grill dishes, with single serving chicken and steak alongside sharing plates. Founded by TĀ TĀ Eatery duo Ana Gonçalves and Zijun Meng, and having been part of food hall concept Arcade since 2023, the concept will be operating as a standalone for the first time. Shaftesbury Capital has also welcomed Dumbo to its Soho estate, with the operator now serving Parisian-style smashburgers from its 500 sq ft kitchen. The concept serves lunchtime and evening diners, as it looks to deliver an offer for a diverse and broad customer base. Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “We’re really excited to welcome Solis to Kingly Street. It’s a brilliant fit for an area that has such a strong mix of office workers, locals and visitors to Carnaby and Soho. Like Dumbo, Solis is all about simple dishes done exceptionally well, creating […]
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
Superdrug reopens largest UK store at Merry Hill
25th September 2026Superdrug has reopened its largest store in the UK at Merry Hill in the West Midlands, following a refurbishment. Now spanning 12,831 sq ft, the enlarged store offers a wider range of international and trending beauty brands, as well as an extended premium fragrance collection. The reopening forms part of Superdrug’s wider expansion plans, which will see the retailer open 30 new stores across the UK this year. Clare Jennings, property director at Superdrug, said: “We’re delighted to be opening the doors to our newly refurbished store at Merry Hill, which is now the largest store in our estate. The 12,831 sq. ft. store brings together everything customers love about Superdrug, from great value across health, beauty and wellbeing to the latest international beauty trends and much-loved own-brand favourites. “Our refurbished store gives customers the chance to explore our dedicated Beauty Studio, discover an extensive premium fragrance collection and shop the latest trends across beauty and skincare. We’re excited to welcome both new and existing Superdrug customers and hope they enjoy discovering everything our refurbished store has to offer.” Alistair Winning, leasing manager for Redical, added: “The full reopening of Superdrug in its new, significantly expanded format marks an important […]
