Posts from June 2025

Pavers has laid out its requirements as part of the next part of its expansion. This comes as the footwear retailer – which operates over 190 stores across the UK and Ireland – targets a further 20 new store openings by the end of 2025. Pavers is seeking Class E units that are situated in high street or regional shopping centres, ranging between 2,000 sq ft and 3,500 sq ft in size with a frontage of over seven metres. Leasehold properties are preferred, however the retailer is open to subleases, concessions, or freeholds. Established in 1971, Pavers looks to offer footwear at an affordable level and primarily targets over-50s. Traditionally the retailer has operated its stores across outlet centres, shopping centres, and garden centres, but is now looking to expand into new sectors. The brand acquired Jones Bootmaker and Herring Shoes in 2018 and achieved a turnover of £169m in the 2023/24 financial year. Emanuel Oliver and Sims have been appointed to find suitable properties.

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Partnership formed to enhance Braehead’s retail and leisure offering

A strategic partnership has been formed to align the marketing, management, and leasing of Braehead Shopping Centre, Braehead Arena, and the adjacent XSite leisure destination in Renfrew, near Glasgow. Called Braehead Ambition, the partnership – which has been formed between SGS UK Retail, TDL Media, and XPE – will look to add value for visitors, retailers, and operators. Totalling 1,450,000 sq ft and attracting a combined 16.3 million visitors a year, Braehead Shopping Centre, XSite, and The Arena offer a range of shopping, dining, leisure, and entertainment options, along with live events, exhibitions, sports, and free parking. The destination serves a growing catchment of 2.2 million people with over £6.3 billion of available retail and leisure spend. The asset management and operational team at the assets includes Pradera Lateral, Savills, BWP Group, Lunson Mitchenall, BGP, and Metis. Claire Barber, CEO of SGS UK Retail, said: “The scale and diversity of Braehead Ambition’s offer means the destination is more relevant to more consumers more of the time. The partnership will position Braehead as a lifestyle choice, creating even higher levels of loyalty and engagement that will drive the commercial performance of the individual assets, and the wider social and economic prosperity of...

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River Island to close 33 stores in restructuring plan

River Island is set to shutter 33 stores as part of restructuring efforts. The fashion retailer – which operates 230 UK stores – is also looking to reduce rents at a further 71 locations which are at risk of closure. This comes amid poor sales performance for the retailer. The latest accounts for River Island showed a £33.2m pre-tax loss for the year ending 30th December 2023, while turnover declined by over 19% to £578.1m. River Island blamed more customers choosing to shop online and higher costs for the decision to close the stores. Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, said: “River Island is a much-loved retailer with a decades long history on the British high street. However, the well documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers’ needs. The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden.” Creditors will begin to vote on the plan – which is being developed with PricewaterhouseCoopers – in August. Earlier this year, River Island drafted in advisers from AlixPartners as it...

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SPYSCAPE opens UK debut social gaming concept in Covent Garden

Interactive museum and social gaming concept SPYSCAPE has opened its first UK site at 45 Wellington Street in London’s Covent Garden. The 25,000 sq ft space – which is the operator’s second outside of Manhattan – looks to offer a spy-themed experience featuring authentic stories and historic gadgets. Visitors will also receive a profile of their own personality, skills and attributes, developed by a former head of training at British Intelligence and a leading psychology professor at Imperial College London. The venue’s social gaming arm, SPYGAMES, invites teams of two to five to tackle challenges crafted by experts from the CIA and Special Ops. William Oliver, director of retail and restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “SPYSCAPE’s arrival in Covent Garden adds another experience to our line-up of innovative operators and introduces an entirely new dimension to London’s leisure landscape. This debut flagship perfectly complements the district’s vibrant all-day entertainment scene, and aligns well with our host of unique brand-first concepts.” The concept joins recent additions at Covent Garden, including Nespresso’s flagship boutique, as well as incoming operators such as ADOH!, a new Sri Lankan street food concept from the founders of Kolamba.

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Landsec starts work at Gunwharf Quays’ Marlborough Square

Landsec has broken ground at Malborough Square at Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays, marking the next step in the redevelopment of the outlet shopping destination. This follows enhancements made earlier this year to The Avenues and is part of Landsec’s wider strategy to elevate the centre’s physical environment, boost operational performance, and enable stronger retail presentations. Work is set to complete in Spring 2026. The programme includes refreshed building façades and shopfronts, enhanced public realm and landscaping, larger, modernised guest washrooms, additional public seating, and a new retail unit. Tim Treadwell, head of retail portfolio at Landsec, said: “We continue to see strong demand from leading brands looking for premium environments to grow their outlet offerings. Gunwharf Quays is the perfect example of how Landsec is investing in its outlet portfolio to curate an environment that attracts even more guests, creates best-in-class experiences and supports the long-term success of brand partners.” Landsec is looking to position Gunwharf Quays to better serve its affluent domestic and international customers, and has increasingly focused on aspirational retail and experience-led design. New lettings at the scheme include Russell & Bromley and Giggling Squid.

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Cotswolds Designer Outlet prepares for summer opening

Cotswolds Designer Outlet, the newly-developed outlet shopping centre in Gloucestershire, has announced its official opening. The centre – located at the gateway to the Cotswolds – will open on Wednesday 16th July, unveiling 50 new stores along with eateries. Retailers which are opening at the centre include Reiss, Hobbs, Jack & Jones, The North Face, The Body Shop, BOSS, Levi’s, Adidas, Sweaty Betty, and Rituals. There will also be local businesses showcased at the scheme including KNEAD Bakery and The Patisserie Box, whilst food and beverage options include Five Guys, Wagamama, Zizzi, Pret A Manger, Caffé Nero and 200 Degrees. The development is located in the North Gloucestershire countryside, and is accessible from the M5 motorway via Junction 9. The scheme offers parking spaces and a bank of EV charging stations, and on weekends and bank holidays a newly-introduced shuttle bus service will operate every 30 minutes from the centre of the nearby town of Tewkesbury. Adrian Field, centre manager at Cotswolds Designer Outlet, said: “We’re really excited to be able to share the official opening and invite shoppers and diners to join us in the opening period from Wednesday 16th July onwards, and enjoy a range of activities and entertainment....

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£15m Glasgow retail asset hits the market

A retail asset at 36-48 Argyle Street in Glasgow has been placed on the market with a price tag of £15m, reflecting a net initial yield of 7.22%. The asset – which has a net internal area of 82,507 sq ft across basement, ground, and three upper floors – is fully let to Tk Maxx, Holland & Barrett, and Continuity2. The property has a weighted average unexpired lease term of 9.91 years to break and 10.35 years to expiry, and generates an annual passing rent of £1,191,915. Argyle Street is a major shopping street located within Glasgow’s city centre, and is known for its variety of stores which includes major chains, independent shops, and department stores. The street is over two miles long and has an estimated footfall of over 20 million people per year. The subject property is located at the north side of the street, within a pedestrianised section between Queen Street and Miller Street. Nearby occupiers include Sports Direct, Primark, M&S, River Island, and JD Sports. CBRE UK has been appointed to find a suitable purchaser.

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Poundland to close 68 stores in restructuring plan

Poundland is set to close 68 of its stores as part of a restructuring plan. The discount retailer – which was recently acquired by Gordon Brothers – is also seeking rent reductions at a number of locations. Poundland said that the store closures and rent reductions will see its store estate shrink from 800 locations to around 650 to 700. If approved by the court, the restructuring plan – designed to return the retailer to profitability – will see Poundland phase out its in-store frozen food offering, look to streamline its chilled food range, and transition its website from a transactional platform to a brand-focused site. Barry Williams, managing director of Poundland, said: “It’s no secret that we have much work to do to get Poundland back on track. “While Poundland remains a strong brand, serving 20m-plus shoppers each year, our performance for a significant period has fallen short of our high standards and action is needed to enable the business to return to growth. “It’s sincerely regrettable that this plan includes the closure of stores and distribution centres, but it’s necessary if we’re to achieve our goal of securing the future of thousands of jobs and hundreds of stores. “It...

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Aldi releases latest list of priority locations for new stores

Aldi has released a list of priority locations across the UK where it is looking to open new stores, following a public consultation. The supermarket retailer – which currently operates over 1,050 stores across the UK – is working towards a long-term target of 1,500 locations nationwide. Over the summer, 10 new stores are set to open in areas including Caterham in Surrey, Sheffield in South Yorkshire, and Fulham Broadway in London. This expansion forms part of a wider £650 million investment into Aldi’s store estate this year. The retailer is seeking sites that can accommodate a 20,000 sq ft store with around 100 parking spaces. Ideal locations will be situated near a main road with good visibility and access. The areas in which Aldi is now actively looking for sites include: The supermarket also said it is on the lookout for sites to accommodate its Aldi Local store format in zones one and two in Central London, which typically have a minimum size of 5,000 sq ft of trading space, along with an additional 3,000 sq ft of ancillary space. Jonathan Neale, managing director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: “We want to make high-quality, affordable food accessible...

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Açai bowl eatery makes London debut on Fulham Road

Açai and The Tribe, a health-focused all-day eatery, has opened its first store in London at 279 Fulham Road, within the Sloane Stanley Estate. Açai and The Tribe’s 1,327 sq ft space offers a range of açai bowls as well as other health-focused food options, such as smoothies, topped sourdough, sandwiches, banana loaf, and a range of beverages. Açai and The Tribe – which was founded in 2021 and opened its first site in Manchester – will sit alongside coffee brand Kiss The Hippo in close proximity to Joe and The Juice and Claude Bosi’s Josephine restaurant. Hannah Grievson, property director at Sloane Stanley, said: “We have had our eyes on Açai and The Tribe since it opened in Manchester a few years ago, and the popularity it has garnered and the success it’s achieved has been admirable. It is exactly the kind of operator that we want in our neighbourhood – healthy, premium and tasty all-day options that are made with naturally sourced ingredients, backed by a passionate team.” Alisha Jade Oswell, founder of Açai and The Tribe, added: “London’s F&B scene is full of innovative and market-leading concepts, and now is the time for us to be part of it....

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Waitrose to open first full-line store in seven years

Waitrose will open a full-line store for the first time in seven years in Brabazon, a new town in North Bristol. The supermarket retailer’s 30,000 sq ft store is expected to open in 2027 and marks the first major commercial partnership announced at Brabazon. The store will be located on the A38 Gloucester Road at the gateway to Brabazon, 500m from a new train station which is expected to open in 2026. It will occupy the ground floor of a seven-storey office building and will be served by an adjacent multi-storey car park with space for over 1,500 vehicles. The Brabazon neighbourhood is being constructed on the historic former Filton Airfield, where every UK Concorde was built. YTL Developments is now developing a new urban community, with hundreds of new homes already completed and occupied. Waitrose is looking to broaden its reach across the UK with this latest agreement, as well as the upcoming launch of a new convenience store in The Arches, Bristol, along with recent expansions through franchised stores with Welcome Break in Spaldwick, Cambridgeshire and Rotherham, and a convenience store in Southwick, West Sussex. Later this summer two more Waitrose stores are set to open at Welcome...

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Rituals to continue expansion with Outlet Shopping at The O2 opening

Rituals is set to continue its ongoing expansion with the opening of a new store at Outlet Shopping at The O2 in London. Opening in July, the 2,260 sq ft store offers the retailer’s range of bath, body, and home products. The opening marks a continuation of the retailer’s expansion across the UK, with Rituals earlier this year stating that it intends to open 37 stores in 2025. Louisa Dalgleish, leasing director at Outlet Shopping at The O2, said: “Beauty and wellness are categories that continue to perform exceptionally well within Outlet Shopping at The O2, and Rituals has always been an aspirational brand following its impressive and successful rollout strategy. It’s exciting to add yet another high-quality brand that we know our far-reaching customer base will love, joining our already successful line of premium wellness retailers such as Clarins and The Cosmetics Company Store.” Located around 15 minutes from central London, Outlet Shopping at The O2 offers a curated mix of brands, entertainment and dining options, as well as a riverside setting.

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Urban Outfitters to open first store of 2025 at Metrocentre

Urban Outfitters has signed for its first new store of the year at Metrocentre in Gateshead. Opening this summer, the brand’s flagship store will span 8,000 sq ft and sit adjacent to fellow fashion retailers Zara, H&M, and New Look. Urban Outfitters at Metrocentre – which will become the brand’s second within the region – will offer a range of menswear and womenswear, alongside accessories and homeware. Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset manager of Metrocentre, said: “Urban Outfitters is a globally recognised brand with a strong connection to young, style-conscious shoppers, and it is only right that we welcome them to our leading tenant mix and signal our commitment to delivering what our visitors want. The demand for trend-setting brands such as Urban Outfitters continues to grow, and it’s a strong message to play host to its first UK store opening of the year. This follows the news that Inditex-owned fashion retailer, Stradivarius, has signed for a space within Metrocentre’s lower Red Mall for its first location in the North East.

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The Portman Estate signs first new tenants for new Marylebone destination

The Portman Estate has signed the first retail and leisure tenants at its Loxton Walk development in Marylebone, London, due to open later this year. The first of the new signings is Melrose & Morgan, which will open a 3,300 sq ft triple-fronted flagship store at 5 Loxton Walk. This will become the boutique grocer and delicatessen’s first permanent location following its acquisition by head chef Mauro Mateus. Founded in 2004, Melrose & Morgan began as a local deli and over time have transformed into a premium delicatessen. The brand’s flagship store at Loxton Walk will join its existing Regent Street café within Brityard. The opening will also set up for further growth, with the brand planning to add more stores over the next five years. Joining Melrose & Morgan is Japanese matcha bar MATCHADO, which will open its third site in London at 12 Loxton Walk. This latest venue follows on from the brand’s success at Coal Drops Yard King’s Cross and in Chiswick. Melrose & Morgan and MATCHADO will join NOTTO Pasta Bar, which was announced earlier this year by Derwent London as the first restaurant signed at Loxton Walk. Founded by Michelin star chef Phil Howard and...

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Hammerson completes first phase of repositioning works at The Oracle with Zara upsize

Hammerson has completed the first phase of repositioning works at The Oracle in Reading after agreeing a deal with Zara to upsize its store. The Inditex-owned fashion retailer will occupy 40,000 sq ft of the former House of Fraser department store, with the brand’s new space offering womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear, along with the latest store concept and digital features. This completes the repositioning of the former department store, which welcomed Tk Maxx in May and will be home to leisure operator Hollywood Bowl when it opens in July. Elsewhere at the scheme, new lettings have recently been agreed with Jewells, ProCook, and Kiko as part of Hammerson’s efforts to renew the retail offer, whilst deals have been agreed with Shake Shack and Cosy Club, introducing new dining and social uses to The Oracle. Harry Badham, chief development and asset repositioning officer at Hammerson, said: “Completing this first significant phase of repositioning at The Oracle with a regional best in class Zara builds upon the successful partnership we have developed with Inditex elsewhere across our portfolio. We are confident, based on our track record, that the completion of this phase will hugely benefit customers and underpin the future retail evolution...

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MINISO makes city debut at Glasgow’s Braehead

MINISO has opened its first store in Glasgow and its second in Scotland at Braehead Shopping Centre. The lifestyle brand’s 1,750 sq ft store is located on the lower level near MAC Cosmetics, and offers a selection of beauty, stationery, homeware, and toy products, from brands such as Disney, Sanrio, Pokémon, Harry Potter, and Stitch. Huw Kmiot, associate director of asset management at Pradera Lateral, asset manager of Braehead Shopping Centre, said: “That MINISO has chosen to make its Glasgow debut in Braehead is testament to the significant appeal the centre has among leading global brands. MINISO’s unique proposition, with its vibrant design and affordable lifestyle products, aligns perfectly with our strategy to deliver engaging, experience-rich retail at Braehead.” Saad Usman, chief operating officer at MINISO UK, added: “This is a milestone opening for us as we continue our UK expansion. Braehead is a key regional destination with a loyal customer base and high visitor numbers, and so is the ideal location for such an important debut. The store has had an incredible response already and are excited to become part of the community here.” MINISO’s arrival at Braehead Shopping Centre follows the recent signing of Flying Tiger Copenhagen at...

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Sadiq Khan to press ahead with Oxford Street pedestrianisation

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that he will move ahead with plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street. This follows an extensive public consultation which attracted over 6,000 responses and found that almost seven in 10 respondents backed the proposals. Some major businesses have also welcomed the plans, including Selfridges, John Lewis, and Ikea. The proposals were first announced last year, and outlined the pedestrianisation of the almost mile-long stretch of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus up to Great Portland Street. The mayor will now also progress with steps to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) dedicated to regenerating the area with the objective of making Oxford Street a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure, and outdoor events. Subject to consideration by the London Assembly, the mayor will work with the government to create the necessary legislation for the MDC to be established by the beginning of 2026. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, said: “Oxford Street has suffered over many years so urgent action is needed to give our nation’s high street a new lease of life. It’s clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans, so I’m pleased to confirm that we will now be...

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Charles Tyrwhitt suits up for Lakeside opening