News
Merry Hill welcomes Slim Chickens
16th May 2025Merry Hill in Dudley has welcomed the arrival of Slim Chickens, as the fried chicken restaurant opens the first of three sites this month. Spanning 5,229 sq ft, the two-storey restaurant will be able to accommodate up to 160 guests and will offer a range of Southern-inspired flavours. The opening follows the recent announcement that outdoor recreation retailer Cotswold Outdoor has signed for a triple fascia store at Merry Hill, alongside sister brands Runners Need and Snow + Rock. Nick Round, senior asset manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, said: “The opening of Slim Chickens’ underscores Merry Hill’s ongoing investment in its F&B options, complementing the vibrant line-up in the recently transformed leisure quarter. The popular operator adds further diversity to our roster of quick-service dining choices, meeting ever-growing consumer demand and solidifying the centre’s position as the West Midlands go-to for best-in-class F&B.” JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill.
Deals
Womenswear brand to open second store outside of London at Liverpool ONE
15th May 2025British womenswear brand House of CB is set to open its second store outside London at Liverpool ONE, making its city debut. The brand – which has a large online and social media presence – will be taking a 6,500 sq ft space on Peter’s Lane. House of CB at Liverpool ONE will offer a range of occasionwear, catering to events such as race days and weddings. The brand will join an existing line-up of premium retailers on Peter’s Lane, which includes Space NK, Jo Malone, Reiss, Anthropologie, and ARNE. Rob Deacon, director of asset management at Liverpool ONE – Landsec, said: “We curate a best-of-the-best offer at Liverpool ONE, delivering an unrivalled blend of brands that responds to guest demand. Bringing with it an online follower base of millions, House of CB’s new store will provide just that, introducing its internationally acclaimed fashion to the city as it expands its presence in physical retail. The store will complement our one-of-a-kind line-up of leading fashion retailers, providing even more unique reasons to visit Liverpool ONE.” The signing follows the recent announcement that womenswear brand Anthropologie is set to open a 7,000 sq ft store on Peter’s Lane. The stores will join […]
Requirements
Loaf stretches its legs with plans to double store estate
9th May 2025Loaf is looking to double the size of its store estate, as the furniture retailer aims to open another 10 sites by 2030. The retailer has retained GCW Property Consultants to support its continued expansion across the UK and add to its existing portfolio of 10 ‘Shacks’. Founded in 2018 as The Sleep Room, a handmade bed specialist, the retailer rebranded to Loaf in 2012 to represent its increased product range which now includes sofas, furniture, and accessories. The brand opened its first bricks-and-mortar store in 2015 on Queenstown Road, Battersea, and now operates ‘Shacks’ in locations such as Manchester, Edinburgh, Solihull, Bristol, Leeds, and Notting Hill and Chiswick in London. Loaf is targeting units ranging between 4,000 and 12,000 sq ft in size in locations including Tunbridge Wells, Hampstead, Winchester, Blackheath (London), and Bath. Theodore Sheppard, chief commercial officer at Loaf, said: “With the help of GCW, Loaf is on the hunt for a further 10 sites by 2030, with its concept of “making laid-back furniture for people to kick-off their shoes and lead happier, more relaxed lives. “We aim to double our estate in the next four to five years. Our data insights and visits to various UK […]
Insights
Derbion Q&A: New arrivals, recent investment, and what’s in store at the shopping centre
24th April 2025Many shopping centres in UK towns and cities have struggled in recent years as the retail market gets to grips with a post-pandemic world and shifts in spending habits. However some assets appear to have bucked the trend, such as Derbion in the East Midlands, which has welcomed new tenants and continued investment from occupiers. Spanning 1.1 million sq ft, the Derby scheme is home to over 200 tenants, including Next, Zara, Mango, H&M, M&S, Hobbs, Hugo Boss, and JD Sports. It also contains a 127,000 sq ft department store for Frasers, Sports Direct, USC and GAME. Completely Retail News caught up with Michael Boundy, director of asset management at Derbion, to chat about what’s new at Derby’s largest shopping centre: What new retailers has Derbion welcomed in recent months? “2025 has been off to a flying start at Derbion, with a range of new and exciting brands and store upgrades. Following excellent sales performance, JD has doubled its footprint to a newly fitted out 20,000 sq ft store which opened in February, whilst iconic lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret will open its new, standalone 5,721 sq ft store at Derbion this summer, expanding out of its current space in Next, […]
News
Colchester shopping centre placed on the market with £11.5m price tag
16th May 2025A shopping centre in Colchester, Essex, has been placed on the market with a price tag of £11,490,000, reflecting a net initial yield of 10%. Located within the city’s prime retailing core, Culver Square Shopping Centre comprises 281,223 sq ft of accommodation and is anchored by H&M and Tk Maxx. Other retailers at the scheme include Fraser Hart, Greggs, Monsoon, HMV, Schuh, Pandora, Søstrene Grene, Hotel Chocolat, Starbucks, Clarks, Skechers, Flying Tiger, Ann Summers, and Ernest Jones. The scheme has a weighted average unexpired lease term of 5.11 years to expiry, and generates a gross income of £2,145,093 per annum. The centre also presents a number of asset management opportunities, including the repurposing of the three-storey, 132,000 sq ft former Debenhams unit. Nearby retailers in the area include Boots, Five Guys, JD Sports, Tesco, Fenwick, River Island, WHSmith, and Primark. Green & Partners has been appointed to market the property.
