Posts from September 2025

Animal is set to open its first shopping centre store in the UK at Cribbs Mall in Bristol. The surfing retailer has signed a 10-year lease to occupy a 5,000 sq ft space, which will stock the brand’s full array of sportswear, ranging from wetsuits and swimwear to snow jackets and base layers for snowboarding. This comes amid continued success at Cribbs Mall, which has seen a 10% rise in footfall and 8% growth in sales over the past quarter. This follows the recent news that Pizza Express is set to join Cribbs Mall, opening its second location in Cribbs Causeway. Katie Searle, director of asset management at Sovereign Centros by CBRE, said: “Leading international brands continue to flock to Cribbs, and we are delighted to welcome Animal as our latest addition. Thanks to our extensive shopper base, for many of our brands Cribbs is consistently the best performing store across their UK portfolios. We expect Animal to perform well as the brand really resonate with our strong younger shopper demographic. “With exciting residential development activity underway across the Cribbs Causeway area, our shopper base continues to grow, and brands are keen to secure their space at Cribbs Mall. With more...

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Søstrene Grene to make city debut at Gloucester Quays

Søstrene Grene is set to make its city debut at Peel Retail & Leisure’s Gloucester Quays. Located off High Orchard Street, the Danish homeware brand’s new store will bring its Scandinavian-inspired offer to Gloucester for the first time. The store – which will be one of only three Søstrene Grene locations in the South West – will stock a range of homewares, small furniture, and lifestyle and craft products. Søstrene Grene’s arrival at Gloucester Quays will follow a series of investments into the outlet, including new arrivals such as Card Factory and a number of renewals completed in 2025. Paul Carter, asset director at Peel Retail & Leisure, said: “Our emphasis for Gloucester Quays is to create a compelling, ‘cross-over’ destination that feels exciting every time you visit. The signing of Søstrene Grene is particularly special, as a sought-after brand admired across the UK – and reflects the confidence leading international names have in Gloucester Quays as a place to grow. It adds another fantastic option for our visitors and is another step forward in delivering something for everyone.” This signing comes after a strong summer for Gloucester Quays, which saw retail and restaurant sales rise by 2.7% and 3.8%, respectively,...

Deals News

M Core’s Sheet Anchor Evolve acquires pair of UK retail assets

Sheet Anchor Evolve, part of property group M Core, has added a pair of UK retail assets to its portfolio. The group has acquired The Forum Shopping Centre in Wallsend and New Kirkgate in Leith, Edinburgh, and will lead the management on both schemes. Spanning 189,539 sq ft across 47 units, The Forum Shopping Centre is anchored by national retailers including Aldi, Boots, Iceland, and Home Bargains, alongside operators such as Specsavers and Greggs. Sheet Anchor Evolve said that the asset, which serves as a key retail hub for the local community, presents strong opportunities to enhance the tenant mix, reduce vacancy and deliver an improved shopping experience through investment and hands-on asset management. Situated within a 10-minute walk of Edinburgh city centre and in the heart of Leith, New Kirkgate offers 93,867 sq ft of mixed-use space, including 16 retail units, office accommodation, and a large Lidl store. The centre is anchored by convenience retailers including Poundland, Superdrug, British Heart Foundation, Greggs, and Costa. Danny O’Keefe, co-founder at Sheet Anchor Evolve, said: “These acquisitions demonstrate our ability to identify strong opportunities where we can deliver real value. Both The Forum and New Kirkgate play an important role in their...

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Indian street food brand to make North East debut at Newcastle’s Eldon Square

Indian street food brand Chit ‘n’ Chaat is set to open its seventh UK location and its first in the North East at Newcastle’s Eldon Square. The 3,000 sq ft restaurant will bring a unique offer to Eldon Square, as the scheme’s first F&B outlet specialising in Indian cuisine. The new Chit ‘n’ Chaat restaurant at Eldon Square marks the second deal between the brand and asset manager Pradera Lateral, following an opening at the Trafford Centre’s Eastern Garden last year. Sagar Modha, co-founder of Chit ‘n’ Chaat, said: “Eldon Square is at the heart of Newcastle city centre and is one of the UK’s most vibrant shopping and leisure destinations. Its diverse customer base, high footfall and family-friendly environment make it the perfect location for Chit ‘n’ Chaat’s first North East restaurant. This opening is a key step in our growth journey as we bring authentic Indian street food to new audiences. We are committed to combining innovation with tradition, constantly evolving our menus, practices and technology to deliver a dining experience that truly stands out.” Kitty Vaughan, head of UK leisure and F&B leasing at Pradera Lateral, added: “The arrival of Chit ‘n’ Chaat is an exciting addition to Eldon Square and aligns...

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Columbia to open only Scottish store at Livingston Designer Outlet

Columbia is set to open its first and only store in Scotland at Livingston Designer Outlet. Opening in October, the 2,359 sq ft store will feature a range of clothing, footwear, and accessories designed for outdoor activities as well as exclusive items, available for men and women. Columbia’s only Scottish store will add to an existing line-up of premium outdoor brands at Livingston Designer Outlet, joining the likes of The North Face and Regatta Great Outdoors. Nick Lovell, head of outlets and retail development at Global Mutual, said: “We are pleased with the high-quality outdoor retail offering we have developed at Livingston Designer Outlet, and the arrival of Columbia adds to this significantly. The brand’s first Scottish store is an exciting addition for our existing and new customers, whilst it also aligns with our vision to grow quality retail offering and provided added value within the centre.” Marcel Miséré, Europe retail director from Columbia Sportswear, added: “We’re seeing exceptional performance across our European and UK locations, with strong like-for-like sales growth. We’re confident that our new store in Livingston will contribute meaningfully to this momentum and strengthen our presence in the UK market. As we look ahead, we remain committed...

Deals News

Aprirose appoints leasing agents for St John’s Wood portfolio

Real estate investment manager Aprirose has appointed P-Three as leasing agents for its St John’s Wood mixed-use portfolio in Central London. Aprirose acquired the retail and residential portfolio in June 2025 as part of its strategy to scale up and invest in both value add and long-income assets. Flanked by Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill, Marylebone and Maida Vale, St John’s is located close to key attractions and prestigious educational institutions. The high street has already undergone a transformation in recent years and is set to further benefit from the launch of St John’s Wood Square on the site of the former barracks in 2028. The area attracts strong footfall from the local community and visitors, due to its unique architecture, village feel, green spaces, and proximity to Central London. P-Three’s Central London team has previously worked on some of the capital’s most prestigious mixed-use neighbourhoods, including Battersea Power Station, Soho, Carnaby Street, Chinatown, Covent Garden, Elephant & Castle, and Fitzrovia. Richard Hughes, head of asset management at Aprirose, said: “St John’s Wood is a one-off asset that has huge appeal and plenty of opportunity to add value and further prestige to its offer. We are excited to work with P-Three...

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Gym operator adds five sites with acquisition

Gym operator NRG Gyms has grown its estate from seven to 12 sites after acquiring Pump Gyms for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition sees NRG Gyms – which earlier this year secured £4m of new funding – take on new locations in Northampton, Norwich, Bedford, Colchester, and Hatfield. NRG Gyms currently operates in Gravesend, Lewisham, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Walsall, and Watford. Shafiq Ahmed, founder of NRG Gyms, said: “This deal almost doubles the number of members in our tribe – strengthening our footprint across the UK and establishing NRG Gyms as one of the leading high-value, low-price gyms in the country. “As we integrate Pump Gyms into the NRG family, I’m excited to deliver on our investment plans and bring our vision of best-in-class, inclusive gyms to even more communities – focused on community, aspiration and performance, and ensuring the best possible experience for every member of our tribe. “Since opening our first gym in Gravesend in 2012, I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved. Anyone working in the sector knows the challenges of building a gym business, but we’ve stayed true to our values, been principled in our decision-making, resilient when needed and agile, to evolve and adapt to retain...

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House of Tweed seeking 20 new sites

House of Tweed has released its latest property requirements as it looks to open 20 new sites. The retailer is seeking Class E units ranging between 500 sq ft and 4,000 sq ft in size, with fitted units preferred. House of Tweed specialises in products such as socks, knitwear, scarves, hats, gloves, bags, and accessories. The retailer said that all major UK towns and cities will be considered, with priority locations including: Arc Retail & Leisure has been appointed to find suitable locations.

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Côte Brasserie owner explores new funding but could close restaurants

The owner of Côte Brasserie exploring the injection of new funding into restaurant chain and retaining control of the business, after months of talks with prospective buyers. Swiss private equity group Partners Group is considering providing millions of pounds of new capital to finance a turnaround plan, Sky News has reported. This plan would likely lead to the closure of loss-making sites. Partners Group – which acquired Côte Brasserie out of administration in 2020 – appointed Interpath Advisory in the summer to find prospective bidders. Côte Brasserie trades from about 70 locations, down from around 100 before its collapse into insolvency five years ago. Sources close to the sale process told Sky News that Interpath had been marketing the company based on last year’s turnover of more than £150m. Around 60 of the sites are said to be profitable, so any turnaround plan could see the closure of further sites.

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M Core unveils transformation of Birmingham’s Arcadian dining destination

M Core has unveiled has unveiled its repositioning of The Arcadian, an oriental dining and entertainment destination in Birmingham. Through a programme of asset and property management led by LCP UK, part of M Core, new operators have been brought in, including: In addition, a number of physical transformations have been undertaken at the destination, including the introduction of new signage, high-tech advertising screens, a redesigned central fountain, and two murals. Barry Flint, director at LCP UK, part of M Core, said: “The Arcadian by M has undergone a remarkable evolution under our management. We saw the opportunity to build something distinctive for Birmingham – a destination rooted in community, culture and cuisine. Through intensive asset and property management, and a deep understanding of the area’s demographics, we’ve curated a tenant line-up and public realm that delivers a truly local and authentic experience.” Located at the hear of Birmingham’s Chinatown and Southside cultural district, The Arcadian comprises 16 restaurants, 121,000 sq ft of retail, dining, and leisure space, and a 500-space car park.

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Primark opens first standalone Home store in Britain at Manchester Palazzo

Primark has opened its first standalone Home store in Great Britain at Manchester Palazzo. The two storey, 12,000 sq ft store features products such as bedding, throws, decorative pieces, and storage solutions. It also features a mezzanine floor with Primark’s travel offering, which includes luggage and travel accessories. Primark’s existing Trafford Palazzo store has also had a makeover, now featuring an expanded womenswear offering, upgraded fixtures across the health and beauty department, and a new beauty studio. Leandra Dwyer, asset manager at Peel Retail & Leisure, said: “Trafford Palazzo is fast establishing itself as the UK’s leading destination for new flagship retail and leisure concepts. The launch of Great Britain’s first standalone Primark Home store at Trafford Palazzo is a fantastic example of how Peel Retail & Leisure partners with major brands to create vibrant spaces where retail and leisure thrive and where consumers want to be. “We are looking forward to seeing the progression of this exciting new store evolve.” Primark’s second Trafford Palazzo store complements its exiting locations across Greater Manchester and follows the debut of the standalone Primark Home concept in Belfast earlier this year.

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Pizza Express takes another slice at Cribbs Causeway

Pizza Express is set to join Cribbs Mall in Bristol, opening its second location in Cribbs Causeway. The Italian restaurant operator has signed a 15-year lease for a 3,675 sq ft unit within the food court, formerly occupied by Café Rouge. Pizza Express will add to the existing food and beverage offer at Cribbs Mall, which includes Nandos, Slim Chickens, Chopstix, Burger King, and Patisserie Valerie. The restaurant will become Pizza Express’ second location at Cribbs Causeway, joining its existing venue at Cribbs Venue. This follows YO! Sushi’s lease renewal at Cribbs Mall last year, while Burger King and KFC have recently completed upgrades to their spaces at Cribbs Venue. Iain Minto, senior director of asset management at Sovereign Centros by CBRE, said: “Established restaurant operators are eager to benefit from our affluent catchment area and this letting to Pizza Express is a prime example of that demand. “We are also pleased to see popular brands such as YO! Sushi, Burger King and KFC invest in their spaces, highlighting the confidence they have in Cribbs. We look forward to working with our F&B occupiers as we create an environment that ensures they thrive, whilst looking to secure new arrivals maintaining...

Deals News

Property trade body members vote in favour of RE:UK merger

The formation of Real Estate: UK (RE:UK), a representative organisation for the real estate sector, will go ahead after members of three trade bodies voted in favour of a merger. All members of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF), 99.5% of British Property Federation (BPF) members, and 92% of members from the Investment Property Forum (IPF) who voted expressed their support for the merger. RE:UK will look to serve as a unified voice for the entire real estate sector, comprising institutional and private investors, property companies, developers, asset owners, managers, and advisers. The group said its activities will be based around six key pillars: advocacy; research and data; thought leadership and innovation; networking and events; upskilling and training; and standards and guidance. RE:UK will launch on 1 January 2026. Members will initially have dual membership and 2026 will serve as a transitional period as the organisations are fully integrated. This follows the recent appointment of British Land’s chief executive Simon Carter as president of the BPF. Anne Breen, AREF chair, said: “The response from the memberships of AREF, BPF and IPF has been overwhelmingly positive and a strong endorsement of our vision for a single, amplified voice for the...

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Former Chelsea restaurant acquired by property group

A property at 49 King’s Road in Chelsea, London formerly owned and operated by McDonald’s has been acquired by property investment company Martin’s Properties. The acquisition increases Martin’s Properties’ holdings on the south side of the King’s Road, with the group now looking to invest further in upgrading and extending the asset before securing a high-end tenant for the property. The group is aiming to expand the current footprint of the property through planning consent, upgrading the entire building – including the upper floor residential – and improving its ESG credentials. Martin’s Properties has previously repositioned such assets, having delivered similar work at 33 King’s Road, 44 King’s Road, 13 Radnor Walk, 111-115 King’s Road, and 197-209 King’s Road. Richard Bourne, CEO of Martin’s Properties, said: “Chelsea is renowned as a location that is vibrant, attractive, diverse and a symbol of affluence and success, which supports its enduring appeal. The family-owned business has owned assets on the Kings Road for over 80 years and has been instrumental in improving the quality of the offer that can be seen today. “The opportunity to acquire another prime block on the Kings Road was compelling and we will use our experience to add value...

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Tech retailer appoints Savills as it seeks 400 sites

Technology retailer WYE has appointed Savills to advise on its expansion plans as it looks to open up to 400 sites over the next five years. A manufacturer and supplier of mobile phone and tech accessories, WYE operates through a network of units ranging from kiosks to shops. WYE’s expansion strategy includes both modular kiosks and full shop fit-outs, with the retailer specifically targeting shopping centre locations. The brand has also developed a solar-powered external design specifically for the out-of-town retail market, which will be rolled out over the next 12 months. Neil Grice, director in retail at Savills, said: “WYE is redefining the mobile accessories sector across the UK. They have perfected a retail format that can be deployed quickly and adapted to a variety of locations. They are uniquely placed to combine aesthetic appeal with operational efficiency, helping landlords transform underutilised areas into valuable retail space. We are delighted to be working with them on their expansion plans, as they seek to rapidly grow their presence across the UK.” Haron Noori, group CEO at WYE, added: “Working with Savills represents a significant step forward in delivering on our strategic plans for UK growth, both in the short and long term....

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Ikea opens ‘Plan & Order Point’ in York

Ikea has continued its ongoing expansion with the opening of a ‘Plan & Order Point’ store at Clifton Moor Retail Park in York. The smaller format store is dedicated to kitchen and bedroom planning, and provides customers with home furnishing advice. Customers are able to book a free appointment with one of the York store’s six planning specialists or use the in-store self-service tools to design their own solution. At Ikea Plan and Order Points, customers are able to order from the entire Ikea product range, with the options for next day collection or home delivery. The store will also offer a collection area for orders made online, and will providing services for customers wanting to return any IKEA purchase. Conor Doherty, IKEA market manager, said: “We’re thrilled to open the doors to our new IKEA Plan and Order Point in York. This welcoming space is designed to inspire; offering a chance to explore our unique kitchen ranges and smart storage solutions. It’s the perfect place to discover IKEA’s extensive selection of affordable home products, suited to every budget. Plus, it provides a convenient new location for collecting online orders and purchases from our Hull and Leeds stores.” The opening forms part...

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Astrid & Miyu makes national debut at Belfast’s Victoria Square