Posts from April 2023

Zouk Capital, manager of the Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund, has increased its commitment to support Zest’s scaling to £60m. The investment supports Zest’s increasing commercial momentum and the CIIF’s goal to accelerate the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure throughout the UK. Zest was originally set up to make fast charging available where people regularly park for more than 30 minutes, such as for shopping, leisure, or work. However, over the past 12 months, Zest has increased the scope of its operations to include on-street lamp post charging and rapid charging hubs, to create a comprehensive portfolio. Recent Zest deployments include the retail destinations Metrocentre and Merry Hill, each with more than 50 charge points deployed. Hackney Council recently announced that it has partnered with Zest to roll out 2,500 charge points. Speaking at Completely Retail Marketplace on Tuesday, Paul Ford, CDO at Zest explained how EV charging points will become ‘expected’ at retail destinations. Ford added: “Certainly when you consider how many people won’t be able to charge at home, it will be a key facility that I think needs to be provided by retail and hospitality.” Robin Heap, Zest CEO said: “We’re growing our network by...

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Popeyes confirms first UK drive thru

Fried chicken chain Popeyes is preparing to open its first UK drive-through restaurant on the 15th May at 11am. The drive-thru site was first announced in February when the chain first shared that a total of 20 sites were due to launch in 2023. The new site take the place of KFC at Parkgate Shopping Centre in Rotherham, South Yorkshire and will mark the 18th site in Popeyes UK portfolio. The plans for the drive-thru include dual ordering lanes, indoor and outdoor seating, and a car park for the 104-seat restaurant. Tom Crowley, chief executive of Popeyes UK said: “The sustained demand we are seeing for Popeyes throughout the UK is incredible, we are confident that this will only increase with the launch of our drive-through restaurants of which we now have many in the pipeline for 2023 and into 2024.” Popeyes was founded in New Orleans in 1972 and now has more than 3,700 restaurants globally.

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Libre London makes debut in Covent Garden

Libre London, and online women’s fashion retailers, has opened its debut pop-up at The Yards, Covent Garden, Longmartin Properties Ltd has announced. The 2,000 sq ft pop-up at 138 Long Acre will run until the end of June and feature women’s clothing, jewellery, bags, and accessories, as well as vegan makeup and skincare. Libre London launched its first online store in 2021 and boasts a mix of products, ranging from big-label brands such as Fiorelli, Valentino, and Baims, to smaller independents such as Acala, Sintra Naturals, and Penti. On behalf of Longmartin Properties Ltd, Abi Labbett, Senior Director at CBRE, said: “It is great to be adding another retail element to The Yards. Libre London adds something unique, specialising in not just fashion, but beauty and skincare too, and given the success of its online platform, there is no doubt that it will be able to continue this positive trajectory into bricks-and-mortar. As The Yards nears letting completion, pop-ups like Libre London allow us to be flexible and trial new, innovative concepts, and we’re pleased to see the excitement around Libre London’s first space.” The opening of Libre London follows the recent pop-up of Odd Muse, the luxury fashion brand,...

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Green light for Curzon Wharf

Birmingham City Council’s planning committee have approved the development of Curzon Wharf, the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon ready development. The decision was expected to be made back in February however the committee wanted further information around the size and affordability of the homes. Woodbourne Group have offered to increase the affordable housing offer from 3% to 5%, meaning 31 units will be classed as affordable to satisfy the council. The 564 ft, £360m Curzon Wharf scheme will be situated next to Dartmouth Circus Island and be comprised of 498 built-to-rent units, a 41 storey tower with up to 732 units of purpose-built student accommodation and a 14 storey development with up to 122 units of residential space. More than 3,000 sq ft of the total space will be dedicated to retail with plans for more than 15,000 sq. ft of leisure and dining out space. Paul Kitson, director of place, prosperity, and sustainability at Birmingham City Council, said: “Curzon Wharf is an exciting project for Birmingham and builds upon our ambition to be a greener and more sustainable city. Being home to the world’s first mixed-use net zero carbon ready development is something we’re immensely proud of and...

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Tommy Hilfiger doubles its presence at the Icon Outlet

The Icon Outlet at The O2 has announced that Tommy Hilfiger has upsized its store by more than 3,100 sq ft. This follows excellent trading results throughout Q1 for both the brand and destination. The new 6,000 sq ft Tommy Hilfiger store is now open and able to showcase an expanded product line. Scott Murdoch, Chairman of Retail at CBRE, said: “Tommy Hilfiger at Icon Outlet at The O2 has continued to be a strong performer within the outlet portfolio, and we are delighted to have played a part in its upsize. It demonstrates commitment to the outlet shopping destination following The O2’s consistently high footfall and strong sale results, and there is no doubt that the brand will continue on an upward trajectory with a larger presence and enhanced in-store experience.” This news follows the signing of Āatma Aesthetics at Icon Outlet at The O2 earlier this month. Its debut store is due to open on the upper level in May. KLM and CBRE represented Icon Outlet at The O2.

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Tech gives retail sector the ‘kiss of life’

Retail is the third biggest recruiter for tech talent, behind big tech and banking according to a new report from recruiter Robert Walters. Demand for tech jobs in the retail space increased by 16% in Q1 of this year, and the number of vacancies in the past 12 months topped pre-pandemic levels by 59%. The development of technology in all its forms, from apps to VR, has given the UK’s retail industry ‘the kiss of life’ with tech roles now representing a quarter of all new retail vacancies. The findings have also revealed that the retail sector has been slow to innovate behind other industries, with that gap now quickly closing. Mat Knutton, Associate Director of Robert Walters, said: “The arrival of tech has been the retail industry’s saving grace. From fintech driving online sales, automation software solving skills shortages and saving on delivery times, to augmented reality allowing customers to virtually try-on products – reducing the number of customer returns. “All of these transformations are futureproofing retail and giving the UK’s largest single employer a chance to stay in the game. Employment won’t necessarily decrease, the roles will ultimately change, with tech and digital being at the core.” Virtual...

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Marks & Spencer reveals further £12.5m investment in stores

Marks & Spencer has announced an additional £12.5m investment in stores across London over the next year. This comes after the £10.3m investments the company made in London stores in 2022 and will create another 200 jobs. M&S is also set to open a new store in Croydon this week, along with a new Foodhall in Earlsfield and full refurbishments of its Victoria Cardinal Place store. Last year’s renewal programme saw food sales at M&S Woolwich more than double. With the restoration of the Kingston branch resulting in a 25% increase in food sales 8% in clothing and home. M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said: “M&S has been innovating in London for over a hundred years. We’re proud that many of our high street ‘firsts’ were born in the capital – from operating a chain of penny bazaars across London in the early 20th century to opening our first ever Simply Food here in 2001 and trialling our first new-look Foodhall design in Clapham in 2019. “Today, a third of all M&S stores are located in London – whether in train stations, shopping centres or high streets – and today’s investment shows that we are committed to offering shoppers in...

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Chinatown London welcomes YiQi restaurant

New Pan-Asian concept YiQi is due to open this summer on Chinatown London’s Lisle Street, Shaftesbury Capital has announced. YiQi will make it debut in a 2,000 sq ft space at 14 Lisle Street and will display a curated interior design, creating a relaxed atmosphere reminiscent of a typical rural East Asian restaurant. YiQi’s menu will celebrate different cuisines from across the ESEA region, creating a dynamic dining experience in the heart of Chinatown. YiQi’s debut will employ both traditional and innovative cooking methods created by Chef Lum Wah Cheok, who has worked for Hakkasan and Yauatcha. Andrew Price, Executive Director at Shaftesbury Capital said: “The YiQi concept brings together centuries of dining heritage, culture, and innovation, which aligns perfectly with the experiences we aim to create at Chinatown London. YiQi is yet another brand to have selected Chinatown London to open its doors for the first time, safe in the knowledge that we attract the most engaged and knowledgeable audience on ESEA cuisine in Europe.”

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Sephora’s UK debut store performing ‘300% better than expected’

Sephora owner LVMH has announced its new Westfield London store is performing more than 300% better than expected, after opening its doors last month. Christopher de Lapuente, job role, told the World Retail Congress in Barcelona: “The opening day we had 5,000 people queuing outside the store. I was there, and some people started queueing at midnight.” “It was 5,000 people wanting to enjoy the Sephora experience and it’s the power of the brand. They didn’t come to buy lipstick at half price. They came to discover Sephora, the products, the assortment, which is part of the magic.” LVMH released what it called an “excellent start” to its financial year, earlier this month. The luxury retail group reported revenues of 18.5b in its first quarter, 17% higher than the same period in 2022. Sephora made its London debut in March with a 6,000 sq ft space in Westfield London. The retailer originally debuted in the UK in 2000, before their shock exit in 2005 due to high rents and growing competition.

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Gove delays M&S Oxford Street demolition ruling until July

Michael Gove has delayed his decision on the proposed demolition of Marks & Spencer’s flagship store on London’s Oxford Street for three months. The levelling up, housing & communities secretary was due to make a ruling on Pilbrow + Partners’ plans to demolish and rebuild the M&S store, which sits close to Marble Arch, ‘on or before 3 May.’ But the DLUHC has said that ‘further time is required’ for the secretary of state to consider the case and that a final decision will now be issued ‘on or before 20 July, 2023’, adding: ‘We aim to issue the decision as quickly as possible.’ A two-week long planning enquiry took place last November which saw M&S go head to head with advocacy organisation SAVE Britain’s Heritage. M&S wants to flatten its existing, outdated store and has proposed replacing it with a new flagship store, along with a 10-storey office block, an arcade, a cafe and a gym. However, this sparked a public row due to heritage and environmental concerns. Opponents of the project have asked the company to renovate the existing buildings at 458 Oxford Street rather than demolish them. Despite strong opposition, M&S has said that it is ‘unsustainable’...

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Knight Frank drives growth of Shopping Centres team with senior appointment

Knight Frank has appointed Ben Hill as a partner in its commercial property asset management team in Leeds. Hill has 20 years experience working with some of Europe’s largest and most complex retail assets. He joins KF from British Land where he was a director and member of the retail property management senior leadership team. At British Land, Hill was responsible for the management of approximately £1bn worth of assets in Sheffield including Meadowhall Shopping Centre and surrounding sites. Earlier in his career he spent 12 years working as a director of property management at Smith Young Partnership in Sheffield. Based between Knight Frank’s Leeds and Sheffield offices, the newly created role will have a national remit. KF’s head of property & asset management, Michael Lewis, said Hill will have a key role in the firm’s expansion of its shopping centre team in Leeds. “Hill has a proven record as one of the leading property management experts across UK retail space. Shopping centres are an integral part of our retail capability. Hill brings with him an in-depth knowledge of one of the UK’s most complex and well-known retail assets and we are delighted to have him on board.” Knight Frank’s...

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DTZ Investors serves up new soho restaurant concept

DTZ Investors and chef Tomos Parry are set to open new restaurant concept, Mountain, in Soho this summer. Parry is best known for running the kitchens at Michelin star rated Brat in Shoreditch and its sister restaurant in Hackney. Mountain will take the place of the former Byron Burger, a two-floor corner unit at 16-18 Beak Street. Parry said: “I’m hoping we can create an exciting and buzzy bar downstairs, where we will be playing vinyl and guests can explore extensive and interesting drinks while seeing dishes coming out.” Parry told the Evening Standard that visitors can expect ‘a relaxed, unwound feel’ to the new restaurant with the menu taking inspiration from Parry’s Welsh heritage with Spanish influence. Adam Robinson, partner at Robinson Webster, who represents the owner DTZ Investors, said: “Corner buildings always attract the best operators, which is why we have been able to secure one of the most talented, regarded, and exciting chefs in the UK. Mountain will be an amazing addition to the building and neighbourhood.” Robinson Webster acted for DTZ Investors, Shelley Sandzer acted for Mountain.

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Innovation Studio Thoughts: Has London lost its cool?

London is no longer the “cool” city it once was, said John Abbate, special projects lead at Save The High Street. Abbate joined Chris Jukes, director of Liverpool ONE, and Fay Cannings, founder of Seekd, at Completely Retail News’ Innovation Studio session, Unconventional spaces and places at Completely Retail Marketplace on Tuesday (25th). He continued: “Decades ago, we used to come to London to see what was cool, London, Tokyo, Paris, New York, those were the cities you hit. “I worked for big, big brands and we would look – what are the independents doing? “It seems to have lost that. It’s coming back, but London used to be one of those key places to go for inspiration”. “If you walk down Oxford Street”, he said with a frown, “is that the inspiring, amazing shopping street that it’s internationally known for?” Abbate also criticised anyone “sitting on vacant units for a very long time”. “The high streets are part of where we live, and I think in the Pandemic we felt that more, because we couldn’t go very far – we had to go shop on our high streets, and we started to discover our high streets again. “So how...

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Westfield owner buys Hammerson’s stake in Croydon schemes

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has completed the acquisition of Hammerson’s 50% stake in the Croydon Partnership, a package which includes The Whitgift and Centrale shopping centres, as well as a number of high street units, office blocks, and car parks. This comes as Hammerson faces continuing pressure from its biggest shareholder to speed up asset sales and resume dividend payments. Investment vehicle Lighthouse, which owns nearly 23% of the REIT, has tabled resolutions to appoint two new board members due to its discontent with Hammerson’s current strategy. The cash raised raised from the purchase is expected to bring Hammerson closer to a £500m disposals target for the end of the year. Jean-Marie Tritant, chief executive officer of URW, said: “With our full ownership of the property, it allows URW to work in partnership with the Mayor of Croydon, the Greater London Authority and other vital local stakeholders on a vision and options that support the wider transformation of the area.”

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Museum of London set to move following planning green light

Plans to relocate the Museum of London have been given the green light by councillors, in a move which will see the redevelopment of a number of historic market buildings. Planning permission and listed building consent have been granted, giving developers the go-ahead to start work on the West Smithfield site. The destination will also undergo a rebrand, becoming The London Museum. The City of London Corporation say the new museum will become one of the capital’s top 10 visitor attractions and will bring over 2 million visitors a year to the area. The development is part of the group’s Destination City Initiative which aims to enhance the Square Mile’s leisure offer to create a leading UK destination. The planning application covers the General Market and the Poultry Market, as well as a group of buildings known as The Annex, which includes the Fish Market, Red House, and Engine House. Shravan Joshi, chairman of the City of London Corporation planning applications sub-committee, said: “As well as being an exceptional attraction in its own right, the new museum will bring substantial economic, environmental, cultural and social benefits for London as whole.”

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Nike rises up at Manchester Arndale

International sportswear brand Nike has agreed to join Manchester Arndale, opening in the last remaining space of the former Topshop unit. Taking a two-storey 13,418 unit, the brand will be opening its digitally-led Nike Rise concept later this year. The Nike Rise store concept aims to empower athletes to make sport a daily habit through the aid of digital services. Nike’s entrance into the city centre follows the arrival of Sports Direct, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, and Tommy Jeans at Manchester Arndale. Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “It is testament to the popularity of Manchester Arndale that Nike has selected the centre for its first Rise store in Manchester. The city is home to two of the world’s most famous sports team and Nike’s arrival will be a great attraction for sport lovers across Manchester and the North West. “The letting to Nike also means that the entire space vacated by Topshop has now been filled, following the lettings to Clarks and Gilly Hicks last year. This justifies the Manchester Arndale team’s decision to split the space and create three new high-quality units in a prime location.” M&G Real Estate and Global Mutual are joint...

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Planet Organic founders buy retailer out of administration

Planet Organic has been bought out of administration by Bioren Limited, beating out Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Holland & Barrett, who had all bid to rescue the struggling grocer. Bioren Limited’s shareholders include Renée and Brian Elliott, who founded the organic supermarket chain in 1995. Will Wright and Christopher Pole of Interpath Advisory were appointed on Tuesday after the retailer was placed into administration, with the majority of the business immediately sold to Bioren. The rescue deal sees 10 Planet Organic stores continuing to trade in London, saving 194 in-store jobs and 71 head office roles. The directors of Bioren Limited said they plan to return to the retailer’s “vision and values”. Interpath Advisory director Gareth Slater said: “After a competitive process, we’re delighted to have concluded this transaction which will see the Planet Organic name continue to trade and, importantly, protects a large number of jobs.”

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“Totally overwhelmed” Soapbox winner reacts

Chris Saville, founder of Gootopia, was “totally overwhelmed” after being announced as the winner of Completely Retail Marketplace’s Soapbox competition. “We’re so passionate about this company and we don’t often get the chance to tell people about it, and it’s actually a really exciting feeling”, he told Completely Retail News. Gootopia, formerly Slime Planet, was founded in 2018 and runs workshops for children to make and play with their own slime. It also offers ‘Wine and Slime’ and ‘Slimefulness’ workshops for adults. The Soapbox competition gives 10 retailers the chance to win a month’s long pop-up lease at a Landsec shopping destination. This year’s prize also included a 15-minute takeover of the iconic Piccadilly Lights. Chris’ jaw dropped when he was announced as the winner, before hugging his wife Nishi with whom he started the company. The competition was tight, with the four judges granting honourable mentions to fashion rental brand Loanhood and micro garden subscription service Finding Roots. Gootopia currently operates in a former railway arch unit in Brixton, and recently launched a pop-up store at a Lewisham shopping centre, however Chris believes the business’s offer “can work anywhere, irrespective of location”. “We’ve always dreamed of having a Gootopia...

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Michelin-starred chef opens restaurant at Seven Dials