Posts from August 2025

Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has announced plans to create a 50 metre natural lido at Eden Dock in London. Called Sea Lanes Canary Wharf, the facility will also feature saunas and a community clubhouse, alongside a food and beverage offer. The health and wellbeing destination will be designed, built, and operated by Sea Lanes, the team behind Sea Lanes Brighton, the UK’s first National Open Water Swimming Centre. The six-lane, 50 metre long pool will have a fixed depth of 1.3 metres and will float in the dock. Cut off from the River Thames and naturally filtered, the water quality in Eden Dock is consistently rated “Excellent” by EU bathing standards and is popular amongst open water swimmers across the UK. Shobi Khan, CEO at CWG, said: “Almost one year on from the opening of Eden Dock, we’re making another bold step forward in the enhancement of our green and blue spaces at Canary Wharf. Sea Lanes Canary Wharf will build on the success of Eden Dock as a unique wellness destination, where access to nature, leisure and world-class amenities are seamlessly integrated.” Created in partnership with education and social charity the Eden Project, Eden Dock looks to provide an urban oasis in...

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John Lewis Partnership expands BTR business to nearly 1,000 homes

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has expanded its build-to-rent operational business with the addition of a fourth site, taking the total number of homes it manages on behalf of Aberdeen Investments to nearly 1,000 homes. From September, the JLP will take over the management of Stratford Studios in East London, which which was developed in 2022 and comprises 158 studio apartments. The JLP’s build-to-rent operations business was established nearly two years ago to operate existing rental homes and manage new ones developed by JLP as they’re completed. It currently manages 326 homes in the Clarendon Quarter in Leeds, 232 homes in the Queen Street Quarter in Leicester, and 259 homes in Landrow Place in Birmingham. All four buildings are owned by clients of Aberdeen Investments, which sees JLP build on the £500m joint venture it has with the global investment company to develop and manage homes. Stratford Studios, located near The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, sits in close proximity to transport links and a range of dining, entertainment, and shopping options. The building was converted from offices to residential homes with shared areas for home-working and socialising as part of plans to regenerate the area following the 2012 Olympic Games. Katherine Russell, director...

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British Retail Consortium appoints new chair

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has appointed Jo Whitfield CBE as chair-elect. She will succeed Andy Higginson when his tenure comes to an end on 2nd October 2025. Whitfield has 25 years’ experience in retail, having held leadership roles at Matalan, the Co-operative Group, and Asda. She is currently a non-executive and audit chair at Asda and a non-executive and chair of Ethics Committee at Factory International, which hosts the Manchester International Festival. Whitfield previously founded and chaired The Grocery Girls network and was an advisor and retail sector lead on the Women’s Business Council. She also played a leading industry role campaigning alongside the BRC to achieve better safety recognition and a change to the law to protect retail workers. She will be joined by Eve Williams, as a new non-executive director on the BRC board. Eve Williams is currently vice president and general manager of eBay UK. Jo Whitfield said: “I’m honoured to be joining the BRC as its first female chair, and to be supporting Helen (Dickinson) and her team at such a pivotal time. Retail is an incredibly valuable industry, employing over 3 million people who support their families through their work. It’s also uniquely inclusive...

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Clintons reopens at Newcastle’s Eldon Square

Clintons is set to reopen at Eldon Square in Newcastle after relocating within the centre. The new store unveils the greeting card retailer’s latest design concept, marking the next step in Clintons’ rollout of its refreshed shopping experience. Opening in September, the new store will feature a wider range of products, including home fragrances and plush toys. Helen Cowie, centre director at Eldon Square, said: “We are delighted to welcome Clintons back into the centre at their new home. The brand is a firm favourite with shoppers, and their new concept design makes it the perfect destination for gift buyers. Their reopening adds to the strong mix of retailers here at Eldon Square, and we’re excited for visitors to rediscover the new location.” James Taylor, trading director at Clintons, added: “We’re thrilled to be reopening in Eldon Square with our latest concept store. Eldon Square is such an important location for us, and this allows us to bring our refreshed store design and exciting new product ranges to customers. From exclusive home fragrances to our brand-new greetings card collections, we’re confident shoppers will love what we’ve brought to the new store.” Eldon Square is managed by Pradera Lateral and Savills.     ...

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Asda to open 20 convenience stores in four weeks

Asda is set to open 20 new convenience stores over four weeks, as the retailer resumes its Asda Express store rollout. The new stores will aim to grow Asda’s footprint in high-footfall urban areas, residential locations, and transport hubs – sites where the retailer has traditionally been underrepresented. The first store will open in Castleford, Yorkshire, in October. This will be followed by openings in up to 20 more locations across the UK in the space of a month from late October onwards. Asda Express stores look to cater to a broad range of customer needs, including ‘top up’ shops for essential items such as milk and bread, on-the-go lunches, and dinners. The retailer launched its first Express store in 2022, before pausing the launch of standalone Express sites while it converted the 469 stores it had acquired from the Co-op and EG Group. David Lepley, chief supply chain officer at Asda, said: “We’re thrilled to kick off the next phase of our Express rollout and bring our heritage in delivering outstanding value to more locations across the UK. “In just three years, we’ve grown from zero convenience stores to establishing a major presence in the channel, with almost 500 stores...

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Lidl secures investor offer to fund construction of 35 stores

Lidl has reached an agreement with an investor to finance the construction of 35 stores across the UK and Europe. The portfolio, which includes 17 UK supermarkets, is currently under offer by investment group ICG for over €250m (£215m), The Grocer has reported. Under the terms of the agreement, the stores will be leased back to Lidl once they are constructed. These terms are similar to those of Lidl’s first UK sale-and-leaseback deal in the UK, which was agreed with Roadside Real Estate in October last year. Lidl has typically expanded across the UK by building and owning its stores, but has recently become more open to leasehold deals to encourage faster expansion. The retailer is expecting to complete the deal this financial year. A Lidl International spokesperson told The Grocer: “The qualitative and quantitative expansion of our network of stores has always been a key driver for the sustainable growth of our company. “As a matter of principle, we do not focus on short-term developments, but always think long-term, economically, and sustainably. In particularly promising market situations, we consciously decide to develop properties and projects together with partners and investors.” ICG declined to comment. This comes as Lidl looks...

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Castore acquires British heritage brand Belstaff

Sports apparel manufacturer Castore has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares of British heritage brand Belstaff on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The deal will see INEOS, the parent company of Belstaff, make a significant strategic investment in Castore at a holding level. The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. Castore and Belstaff will now look to drive future growth across the premium categories, capitalising on the former’s retail networks and expertise, supply chain, growing global footprint, and its roster of sports team partnerships. Founded in 1924, Belstaff has, over the decades, created protective suits for race-car drivers, wind-proof smocks for marines, and insulating clothing for mountaineers. It was acquired by INEOS in 2017. It was recently announced that Belstaff will open its first-ever store in Leeds at Victoria Quarter. Ashley Reed, chairman of Belstaff, said: “This is a union of two British brands who have come together through shared qualities of purpose-led design and entrepreneurial spirit. Castore is disrupting the sportswear market and has demonstrated phenomenal growth and resilience in recent years. Having witnessed their journey, we saw a unique opportunity to join forces and accelerate Belstaff’s transformation through shared knowledge and resources.” Tom Beahon, co-founder...

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Mango to upsize at Guildford’s The Friary Centre

Mango is set to upsize and relocate its store at The Friary Centre in Guildford. The fashion retailer will be taking on two amalgamated units – including a formerly vacant unit – on a 10-year lease. At 7,000 sq ft, the new store means Mango will more than double the footprint of its current 2,950 sq ft location. This comes amid a period of expansion for Mango, which earlier this year said it will open 20 stores in 2025. Opening in spring 2026, the new store will be located on the lower ground level opposite Søstrene Grene, which has performed well since joining The Friary Centre in May 2024. NewRiver, which jointly asset manages The Friary Centre with M&G Real Estate, said the upsizing of Mango and the positive performance of Søstrene Grene demonstrate its asset management in action, as well as its ongoing commitment to supporting operators’ growth whilst curating thriving retail places for communities. Lunson Mitchenall and Green & Partners are The Friary Centre’s retained agents.

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Indoor golf venue tees up Salford Quayside opening

A new indoor golf venue founded by a PGA professional is set to open at Salford’s Quayside this autumn. The 4,500 sq ft space will provide seven Trackman simulators, taking players to over 450 world-famous courses including St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. TeeClub will also launch with a partnership with sports equipment brand TaylorMade, so guests can either use their own clubs or make use of the venue’s own equipment. The concept is designed for both individuals and businesses and will offer memberships and corporate packages. Semi-private bays and interactive gaming modes will look to provide an ideal venue for team-building events or evenings with friends. TeeClub will also feature a bar serving coffee, pizzas, snacks, wine, and beers, as well as a club shop. Nick Holmes, PGA professional and director of golf at TeeClub, said: “Our vision for TeeClub is to create an indoor golf experience that combines the authenticity of the sport with modern luxury. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn, a corporate group hosting an event, or an experienced golfer, TeeClub will provide the tools, technology, and atmosphere.” Ben Hey, asset director at Peel Retail and Leisure, added: “TeeClub’s combination of sport, technology and lifestyle is...

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Rituals opens 100th UK store

Rituals has opened its 100th store in the UK in St Albans. The wellbeing brand’s new location joins existing stores located in the likes of London, Belfast, Swansea, Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. Annemarie Forsyth, managing director of Rituals UK & Ireland, said: “We’re excited to continue to thoughtfully expand our presence across the UK and Ireland, two markets which are hugely important to us. Helping us reach more communities while staying rooted in our values remains a focus.” This year will also see the launch of Ritual’s first ‘Mind Oasis’, located on London’s Oxford Street. The brand said this new concept has been designed to help customers recharge and reconnect. Rituals is also set to expand its Irish presence, from 16 to 18 stores by the end of the year. Combined with its 113 UK stores by year end, this will bring the brand’s total footprint to 137 stores (including travel locations) across both regions in 2025.

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Frasers Group acquires stake in leisure group to support national rollout

Frasers Group has acquired a minority stake in leisure and hospitality collective We Do Play, the group behind the Flip Out, Activate, Putt Putt Social, and Rumble Rooms brands. This latest investment is expected to support the group’s nationwide expansion, including the rollout of 40 more Activate locations in the next few years. Activate opened its first UK venue at London’s O2 in December and launched a venue in Gateshead’s Metrocentre in July. The operator also be opening in Leicester and London’s Oxford Street later this year. Rich Beese, chief executive of We Do Play, said: “We’re incredibly proud to partner with Frasers Group as we enter this next phase of growth. “Our mission has always been to create memorable, energy-filled experiences that bring people together — and with Frasers’ backing – we’re now able to scale that vision faster and further. “This partnership gives us the platform to innovate, expand our footprint, and elevate leisure across the UK and beyond.” James France, chief acquisition officer at Frasers Group, added: “Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in our strategy to diversify and create more dynamic consumer and leisure experiences. “We Do Play’s innovative brands align perfectly with our vision for a modern, experience-led consumer ecosystem. Together, we...

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Poundland avoids administration after rescue plan approved

Poundland has avoided collapsing into administration after its restructuring plan was approved by the High Court. Under the terms of the restructuring plan, £60m of funding will be released into the business, while £276.5m in loans – which Poundland is due to pay in September – will be pushed back by three years. The retailer will also be provided with a £30m overdraft facility and have some rents reduced at certain stores. The budget retailer – which operates around 800 stores in the UK – said that it was at risk of running out of cash by 7th September if the plan was not approved. Poundland has already announced that it will close 68 of its stores as part of the restructuring plan. This will see the retailer’s store estate shrink to around 650 to 700. Following the High Court decision, Barry Williams, managing director of Poundland said it would “stabilise the business”. He added that the focus would now focus on getting the retailer “back to growth”, by updating product ranges and lowering prices. In June, Poundland was sold by Polish group Pepco to a subsidiary of private equity firm Gordon Brothers, for £1. This followed poor financial performances for...

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Yorkshire’s Junction 32 outlet centre sees record-breaking first half of 2025

Junction 32, the outlet shopping destination in Castleford, Yorkshire, has recorded its best-ever H1 to date, achieving its highest turnover since it opened in 1999. This achievement comes as both sales and footfall have continued to grow year-on-year at the destination. Sales from January to June 2025 rose by 8% compared to the same period in 2024. This increase in sales was supported by strong performance across a number of categories, with health and beauty sales up by 8% compared to H1 of 2024. Additionally, menswear saw a 6% increase compared to 2024, while gifts and confectionery grew by 5% year-on-year in the first half of 2025. Rachel Scott, head of leasing at Junction 32, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see Junction 32 deliver its strongest first-half performance in over two decades. This milestone result is testament not only to the strength of our retail mix, but also to the collaborative efforts of our leasing and operational teams. With a partnership-focused approach in place, we’re excited to build on this momentum in the months ahead.” Global Mutual is asset manager of Junction 32.

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Antiques dealer opens on Chelsea’s King’s Road

Ed Butcher, an antiques dealer specialising in mid-century furniture and artwork, has opened at 281 King’s Road in Chelsea, part of the Sloane Stanley Estate. Spanning 1,139 sq ft, the store showcases a curated collection of furniture, lighting, art, and curios, and joins a number of existing design-led retailers on the Sloane Stanley Estate, including Antique Modern Mix, William Yeoward, Designers Guild, and Little Greene. Hannah Grievson, property director at Sloane Stanley, said: ”The arrival of Ed Butcher within the estate perfectly reflects our vision of fostering independent and creative retail on the King’s Road. The brand’s timeless approach to interiors complements our community seamlessly, and we are delighted to welcome them as part of our thriving estate.” Ed Butcher, founder, added: “The King’s Road is an iconic location which has played a pivotal role in shaping art, fashion, culture and music. This creative significance has long been a source of inspiration, so moving here feels like our natural next home. We are thrilled to join other independent brands and continue the tradition of bringing soul and vibrancy to the area.” This opening follows the announcement that de Savary London, the luxury outerwear brand, will be opening its world-first pop-up store...

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Merry Hill welcomes 30,000 sq ft of brand commitments

Merry Hill has completed 30,000 sq ft of leasing deals across 11 operators, with the Dudley scheme now 95% let. Throughout the lower level of the scheme’s Southern Mall, the brands investing in Merry Hill include discount store Hey Bargain, which is relaunching in a 10,000 sq ft space, as well as health and beauty retailer, Savers, which is relocating into a 5,000 sq ft unit. Meanwhile, Greggs is upsizing into a 2,000 sq ft unit. These brands join a series of nearby renewals, including Shoe Zone, Bodycare, Bonmarché, Global Mobile, Card Factory, Subway, and MyPhone, comprising a total of 15,000 sq ft of floorspace in the mall. Nick Round, senior asset manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, said: “Merry Hill’s strength lies in its ability to offer a broad and complete retail experience, seamlessly blending lower price point brands with more premium offers. The recent flurry of brand investment across the destination exemplifies this balance, showcasing our commitment to meeting the diverse needs of our extensive community and reinforcing our position as a leading super-regional retail destination in the UK.” This investment follows the recent opening of Cotswold Outdoor’s triple fascia store at Merry Hill. The space...

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Covent Garden welcomes quartet of fragrance brands

Shaftesbury Capital has announced that four luxury fragrance brands will be joining its Covent Garden estate later this year. Opening in Covent Garden’s Market Building, Byredo’s 1,100 sq ft store will join the brand’s existing location in Seven Dials. The location will feature an assortment of high-end fragrances, make-up, home, leather goods, and accessories. Byredo will be joined by MATIERE PREMIERE, which will open its debut UK flagship space within a 50 sq ft store at 31 King Street. Also launching its debut UK store is French fragrance house Initio Parfums Privés, which will be moving into Parfums de Marly’s former 246 sq ft unit in the Market Building. Finally, Parfums de Marly, the label inspired by the 18th-century French era, will be upsizing and relocating to 31 James Street. The new 1,000 sq ft store will sit adjacent to the likes of Charlotte Tilbury, APPLE, Glossier and HOKA. William Oliver, director of retail and restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Four exciting new fragrance brands have committed to Covent Garden, which speaks volumes about our role as the leading destination for luxury beauty in the UK, already home to a host of world-class fragrance houses and an epicentre where...

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British menswear brand to make city debut at Victoria Leeds

British menswear brand Belstaff is set to open at Redical’s Victoria Leeds this September, making its city debut. Opening in a 2,259 sq ft space in Victoria Quarter, Belstaff will extend the destination’s menswear offer, joining the likes of Barbour, Hawes & Curtis, and Ralph Lauren. The brand’s Leeds store will feature its tailored range of menswear, including outerwear, essentials, and accessories, as well as Belstaff’s womenswear range. Rachel Bradburn, head of leasing at Redical, said: “Belstaff is a very strong addition to our menswear offer at Victoria Leeds, bringing even greater variety and diversity to our guests’ shopping experience. Belfstaff choosing Victoria Leeds for its city debut further cements our reputation as the prime retail destination in the region, and highlights our continued commitment to delivering the best-of-the-best, time and time again.” Kerry Byrne, CEO of Belstaff, added: “The signing at Victoria Leeds marks the next step in our significant expansion strategy, with the historic architecture of Victoria Quarter complementing our timeless and elegant menswear collection. Victoria Leeds stands as one of the north’s most premium retail destinations, and we are proud to add Belstaff to the leading tenant mix.” The signing is another milestone in Redical’s strategy to...

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Catella APAM brings Indian restaurant to Norwich’s Chantry Place