Posts from February 2024

A competitive socialising venue based on TV’s The Cube is set to open its second venue at Canary Wharf later this year. Created by The Mellors Group in collaboration with Objective Media Group, THE CUBE at Canary Wharf will span 23,000 sq ft and neighbour Dishoom, Third Space, and Mallow. The venue will feature 21 four by four metre cubes spread across four floors, with groups of four facing seven selected challenges based on the television show, which ran on ITV between 2009 and 2021. The Mellors Group has ambitious plans to grow the brand, with the opening building upon the success of THE CUBE Manchester which opened in 2022. THE CUBE will also have an in-venue food and drink offer, with Dutch burger bar THE BUTCHER and the UK’s first Toni Loco Pizzeria both available to visitors. There will also be six bars as well as live DJ sessions. Edward Mellors, director, Mellors Group said “We’re excited to bring our high-quality, up-market competitive socialising concept, THE CUBE, to London. We’re building on the huge success of our Manchester venue, where thousands people have experienced the thrill of having nowhere to hide in THE CUBE. We’re especially happy to be opening...

Deals News

Croydon’s Centrale & Whitgift welcomes flurry of signings

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has announced a number of new lettings to its Centrale & Whitgift shopping centre in Croydon. The signings include luxury jewellery and watch brand Loupe, which will open its first store in London. The brand, which is a new venture from Beaverbrooks, has opened a 5,350 sq ft store as part of a £6m brand investment. Footwear retailer Deichmann has made its return to Croydon, taking a 6,458 sq ft space, whilst Izzy Home store is set to open a 3,295 sq ft store as part of its ongoing expansion. Meanwhile, outdoors retailer Tresspass, No.1 Currency Exchange, and Sarraf Jewellers have all signed lease renewals. Kate Orwin, leasing director UK at URW, said: “Demand from occupiers is at an all-time high, underlined by this recent burst of signings from new and existing brands investing in their physical spaces in Croydon. “The growing offer at Centrale & Whitgift from high price point luxury, British and international high street brands, through to grass roots local organisations illustrates the confidence these brands have in Croydon as a thriving destination. “We are very excited to unveil the latest line up as we continue to provide a diverse and exciting offer for our...

Deals News

GO Outdoors signs for former Metrocentre Wilko unit

GO Outdoors has reached an agreement to open at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, taking the unit formerly occupied by Wilko. Spanning 20,242 sq ft of space within Blue Mall, the store will be outdoor clothing and equipment retailer’s only outlet in the region within a shopping centre environment. The store will be presented as GO Outdoors Express and stock a variety of brands including Rab, OEX, Berghaus, Peter Storm, HiGear, and North Ridge. With an omnichannel focus, the store will offer advice and additional services, such as boot and rucksack fitting. Ben Cox, director at asset manager Sovereign Centros, said: “The signing of GO Outdoors is both a direct response to what our visitors want from the destination, and a great example of the importance of Metrocentre to the North East. Late last year we were hit with a significant challenge as Wilko closed, but a proactive approach and the destination’s appeal has put us in a position to introduce a brand that belongs here, in good time. GO Outdoors joins us as we build momentum with major retailers, like Frasers Group, Zara, and Primark, all committing to and investing in Metrocentre.” The signing forms part of Sovereign Centros’ strategy to...

Deals News

Covent Garden pop-up to pave way for permanent speakeasy

A three-month long pop-up restaurant and bar space from the team behind the Oriole, Nightjar, and Bar Swift concepts is set to open in Covent Garden, paving the way for a permanent location. Located at Slingsby Place in The Yards, PRELUDE by Oriole will make way for the second iteration of speakeasy concept Oriole, which will reopen permanently in the summer. The 34-cover restaurant and bar will serve many of the food and drink options that will be available at Oriole’s permanent home later this year, with the pop-up serving as a research and development space for the concept. The menu will draw from Latin American cooking styles and ingredients with influences from other parts of the world, and will be supplemented by an extensive cocktail menu with a number of signature drinks. The original Oriole was launched by Speakeasy Entertainment at Smithfield Market in 2015, before closing in 2022 to make way for the redevelopment of the market. Edmund Weil, director of Speakeasy Entertainment, said: “After leaving Smithfield in 2023, we always planned to revive Oriole with our top employees as operating partners. Finding a new home has proved a long journey, but we are delighted to have settled...

Deals News

Hollywood Bowl strikes deal at Uxbridge’s The Chimes

Hollywood Bowl leads 75,000 sq ft of new lettings at The Chimes Shopping Centre in Uxbridge, West London. Opening in early 2025, the family entertainment venue will occupy 38,000 sq ft on the top floor of the former Debenhams department store. Hollywood Bowl will join Odeon – which is currently upgrading its cinema into an enhanced Odeon Luxe – as the anchors of a new leisure destination at The Chimes. Also joining The Chimes is River Island, which will relocate into a larger 9,000 sq ft store, based over two floors. Meanwhile, TK Maxx will relocate from nearby scheme The Pavilions to open at The Chimes in October. The clothing retailer will take 25,000 sq ft of space on the lower mall of the former Debenhams. Located adjacent to Uxbridge Underground Station, The Chimes spans 440,000 sq ft over three floors and is supplemented by 1,500 car parking spaces. The asset is managed by Abrdn, with Colliers and Lunson Mitchenall retained as leasing agents. Niall Macdonald, deputy fund manager at Abrdn, said: “The Chimes is already the prime destination for shopping in Uxbridge and the surrounding area. The refurbishment of the cinema to the Luxe format and the addition of...

Deals News

Vue premieres revamped cinema at Angel Central

Vue has opened the curtains to its refurbished cinema at Angel Central in Islington, with a host of upgrades throughout the venue. The 10-screen cinema boasts a revamped foyer, upgraded retail, concourse, and toilet areas, and incorporates new digital displays showing films and promotions. It also becomes Vue’s first cinema in Central London to feature leather recliner seating throughout the entire venue. Local film fans were invited to the revamped venue’s reopening on Monday, and were able to enjoy exclusive preview screenings of Wicked Little Letters and National Theatre Live’s Vanya. The cinema’s opening arrives in time to showcase the latest blockbuster films, including Poor Things, The Iron Claw, and Mean Girls, as well as Dune 2 which arrives on 1 March. Another National Theatre special, The Motive and the Cue, will debut 21 March. Louisa Butters, head of retail asset management UK at CBRE Investment Management, owners of Angel Central, said: “It is great to see Vue’s refurbished venue open to the public. As we look to elevate the leisure mix within Angel Central, Vue’s enhanced space will continue to play a vital role in the destination’s day-to-night offer. “Our co-investment also highlights the opportunities that we provide for...

News

Sticks’n’Sushi secures £22m funding to support growth

Sticks’n’Sushi has secured a £22m loan from digital bank OakNorth to support its future growth. The Japanese restaurant group, which first made its debut in the UK in Wimbledon in 2012, operates 27 restaurants across Europe including 12 in the UK. The UK is the restaurant chain’s largest market in terms of turnover, with a 13th UK restaurant set to open in Richmond in May. Earlier this year, Sticks’n’Sushi was acquired by private equity firm McWin Capital Partners, which has stakes in a number of chains including Gail’s Bakery, Popeyes, Big Mamma, Vapiano, and Burger King Germany. The group’s CEO, Andreas Karlsson, has over 36 years of experience in the restaurant industry, having led the global roll-out of Wagamama. He said: “Our continued growth is really exciting – we’ve opened a restaurant every year since 2012 and we launched two last year in Shoreditch and Kingston, followed by Richmond this May – which will make it three in nine months. Over the years, we’ve built a loyal customer base who continue to choose us because of the quality of food we serve, and the quality of service we provide. “We have identified great locations for several new restaurants in the coming years,...

News

Four retailers to open in former John Lewis at Atria Watford

Four retailers are set to take space in the former John Lewis unit at Atria Watford. B&M, Choice Discount, and a combined store for Peacocks and Bonmarché will join Dunelm and Poundland in the former department store. Spanning 21,000 sq ft, the B&M store will stock a range of branded groceries, health and beauty products, homeware, electrical products, DIY products, toys and games, and gifts. The combined Peacocks and Bonmarché store will extend to 10,000 sq ft, offering both brands’ ranges of clothing and accessories. Meanwhile, Choice Discount will take a 5,000 sq ft space, selling its range of menswear, womenswear, kidswear, and accessories. Atria Watford is owned by SGS and asset managed by Global Mutual. Savills is retained as property manager. Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “We are pleased to kick start 2024 by welcoming a host of new names to Atria Watford, including our first ever B&M store. These new additions will increase choice for our visitors – bringing quality at affordable prices. “It’s great to see new brands coming to the centre and the revitalisation of the former John Lewis unit is indicative of increased confidence across the sector. We...

Deals News

The O2’s Entertainment District fully leased after Chopstix signing

The O2‘s Entertainment District is now fully leased, after pan-Asian noodle bar Chopstix agreed to join the retail, leisure, and entertainment destination. The quick-service restaurant brand – which has already opened five sites in 2024 – has agreed to take a 1,991 sq ft space within the Entertainment District. Chopstix at The O2 will feature brand new digital screens, as well as the brand’s signature interiors. Customers will be able to order Chopstix favourites such as its Caramel Drizzle Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, and vegan topping All Leaf No Beef Teriyaki. Rob Burns, marketing director at Chopstix, said: “Signing this site at The O2 is a big moment for us, as it is a destination we’ve targeted for a long time. Following our significant 2023 growth, we are thrilled to be launching at such an iconic location, one that aligns with our efforts in investing within the local community and delivering an unparalleled dining experience.” The full leasing of the Entertainment District comes as owner Waterfront Limited Partnership – a joint venture between AEG Europe and Crosstree Real Estate Partners – has looked to continually evolve the centre’s offer. This has resulted in a tenant mixture of globally-recognised and independent...

Deals News

Capital&Centric hunts for operators to fill 85,000 sq ft of space

Capital&Centric has appointed agents to find suitable tenants to fill 85,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space across its assets in the North West. The social impact developer is looking for independent operators to join its communities in Manchester, Stockport, Bolton, and Stoke-on-Trent which are currently under construction. Agents appointed to the sites include CN Prop, Cushman & Wakefield, Mounsey Surveyors, and Avison Young. The opportunities include: Tom Wilmot, joint managing director at Capital&Centric, said: “Whilst we can design and build neighbourhoods that standout from the rest, it’s the eclectic mix of operators that will ultimately make the place sing. We’ve got a raft of flexible spaces to suit a whole range of needs, whether it’s a creative start-up looking for a more inspiring place for their HQ, or a pizza joint or café deli itching to expand into new territories. There’s a real mix of property type too, whether the historic spaces with preserved original features or new build spaces that provide a totally different vibe. “We’re proud to be delivering some of the most anticipated neighbourhoods in the region and we want to hear from businesses to be part of the neighbourhoods stories from day one. With...

News

Pho to continue expansion in 2024

Pho is planning to open between six and seven new restaurants in 2024, following a strong 12 months for the Vietnamese restaurant concept. The chain – which operates 40 sites across the UK – has already lined up several new openings over the next few months, Propel has reported. Pho will open its second site in Scotland, taking the former Moss Bros store in Glasgow city centre, following a successful opening in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter. Work is already underway for Pho to open at the former Doner Shack unit in London’s Baker Street in April, whilst another restaurant is set to open at the former RBS bank unit in Norwich in the early summer. Pho opened six restaurants over the past year, including in Canary Wharf, Canterbury, Fulham Broadway, Liverpool Castle Street, London Bridge, and Milton Keynes. This comes as Pho reports a strong year of trading, with sales for the year ending February 2024 expected to reach over £72m, up from £58m a year prior. Despite challenging economic conditions, the chain reported a 7.3% increase in like-for-like sales for the 11 months ending 14 January. Patrick Marrinan, Pho managing director, said: “There has been a lot going on...

News

Polish fashion brand to open fifth UK store

Polish fashion brand Reserved is set to open its fifth store in the UK in Westfield White City. The retailer – which is owned by clothing conglomerate LPP – has agreed to take a 19,827 sq ft unit and is set to open in May, Retail Week reports. The store will offer Reserved’s full range of menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear. This comes as Reserved looks to ramp up its expansion in the UK. Last year, the retailer opened a store at Westfield Stratford, and revamped its locations in Brent Cross and Oxford Street – where it made its UK debut in 2017. LPP also owns the Cropp, House, Mohiso, and Sinsay brands.

Deals

Anytime Fitness opens largest UK gym to date

Anytime Fitness, the worldwide franchisee gym concept, has opened its largest UK location to date in Brixton. Opening on Monday, the operator has taken a 12,000 sq ft unit at Ivor House on a 15-year lease. The space – which was secured by Shelley Sandzer – incorporates a 7,000 sq ft gym, as well as three separate studios. The operator utilises a franchisee model across five continents, with locations in countries including Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Singapore, and Hong Kong. A spokesperson for Anytime Fitness said: “This is a very exciting moment in Anytime Fitness’ journey; not only is this our largest site in London, but the biggest in the UK. Brixton is a bustling community that provides us with an opportunity to deliver a compelling fitness offer and one that meets a range of needs, whether that be gym enthusiasts or newcomers.” Nick Weir, joint managing partner at Shelley Sandzer, added: “We are pleased to have facilitated its biggest UK site to date for Anytime Fitness, with the opening highlighting the continued strength of the fitness industry in London. Our expertise enables us to locate the very best sites in which innovative operators can thrive, and we look...

Deals News

Redevco appoints property manager to White Lion Walk Guildford