Posts from January 2026

The retail warehousing sector remained strong throughout 2025, according to property advisory SHW’s Q1 2026 Retail Focus report. The report found that retail warehousing was the standout sector within retail, with low vacancy rates, supply side constraints, and occupier demand leading to sustained rental growth in 2025. SHW found that the investment market also continued to be buoyant in 2025, with over £2bn transacted. Although lower than 2024, investment volumes were in-line with the 10-year average, with returns on retail warehousing averaging 9.8% over the last 12 months. Investment activity focused in particular on good secondary stock, which can offer a more attractive return, with investors such as Redevco and Realty amongst those looking to capitalise on these opportunities. Jeremy Good, director at SHW, said: “The occupational sector also remains robust. Vacancy rates remain relatively low at approximately 5%, and those units that came to the market following the failures of both Homebase and Carpetright were acquired by a range of other operators including food retailers, DIY stores, discount retailers and gym operators. We have also seen an increase in strategic acquisition of freehold interests of solus stores by a number of retailers to secure vacant possession for their own...

News

Stockport retail warehouse asset handed £3.2m price tag

A retail warehousing asset in Stockport has been placed on the investment market with an asking price of £3,180,000, reflecting a net initial yield of 8.00%. The retail park comprises two units extending to a total of 18,000 sq ft, currently let to B&M and Dreams. The properties have a weighted average unexpired lease term of 5.4 years to expiry and produce a total passing rent of £271,101 per annum. The asset is situated between the M60 to the north and A560 to the south, immediately adjacent to The Peel Centre, which provides over 332,000 sq ft of retail warehouse accommodation and is anchored by M&S, The Range, Tk Maxx, Currys, and Dunelm. Stockport forms part of the Greater Manchester area and is located approximately seven miles south-east of Manchester city centre. The area is currently undergoing the largest town centre regeneration in the UK that involves the creation of new homes, infrastructure, public spaces, and the revitalisation of historic buildings. Rosebury Real Estate has been appointed to find a suitable buyer.

News

Third.i Group secures supermarket as first commercial leasing at Vauxhall’s Graphite Square

Third.i Group, the British division of Australian developer Third.i, has signed Sainsbury’s as its first commercial tenant at the Graphite Square regeneration scheme in Vauxhall, London. The supermarket retailer has agreed to take a ground floor unit on a substantial lease term, with the store expected to open in the first half of 2026. Sainsbury’s will look to provide convenience and neighbourhood retailing to Graphite Square’s 250 plus residents, as well as the residential community within Vauxhall and Nine Elms alongside the area’s working and commuting population. The store will blend into Graphite Square’s new public realm which aims to improve pedestrian connectivity between Vauxhall station and Albert Embankment. Designed by Ben Adams Architects, the public realm has been integrated into the wider development, featuring dedicated urban greening additions and contemporary street furniture. Julian Baker, sales director at Third.i Group (UK), said: “The arrival of Sainsbury’s Local at Graphite Square marks an important first step in bringing every day, community-focused retail to the heart of Vauxhall and reinforces Third.i’s vision for Graphite Square as a dynamic mixed-use development. This leasing reflects our commitment to delivering developments that respond to modern urban lifestyles and contribute meaningfully to Vauxhall’s future.” Jonathan Arthur,...

Deals News

LM expands restaurant and leisure team

LM has expanded its restaurant and leisure team with the addition of Abban Magos as an associate director. He brings nearly 10 years’ of experience to the independent retail and leisure real estate adviser, joining from Colliers. The appointment comes during a period of growth for LM’s restaurant and leisure team, which has expanded significantly over the past 18 months with the appointments of Freddie Cox and Josh Jones. In his new role, Magos will work on key landlord instructions including Lakeside Shopping Centre and Harlequin Shopping Centre, and will use his experience in acquisitions – having worked with Slim Chickens and Wendy’s – to support LM’s operator clients in securing prime spaces. LM’s restaurant and leisure team has recently secured Guinness World Record’s first permanent entertainment destination in the UK, delivering a 25,000 sq ft unit at The O2. LM has also been involved in the expansion of the quick service restaurant (QSR) sector, supporting the rollout of brands such as Dave’s Hot Chicken and Bunsik at Bristol’s Cabot Circus, Maki & Ramen in Highcross Leicester, Lakeside Shopping Centre and The O2 as well as Atis and Paris Baguette at Southbank Place. Ruvan Sangra, head of restaurants and leisure...

News

Liverpool ONE records best-ever ‘Golden Quarter’

The Liverpool ONE shopping centre has recorded its best-ever festive trading period, with the scheme producing increases in footfall and sales. During the ‘Golden Quarter’ the Liverpool shopping centre saw year-on-year footfall and sales increases of 13% and 7%, respectively. Performance was particularly strong between Christmas Day and New Year Day, with year-on-year footfall increasing by 15%, while sales grew by 36%. These figures contrasted with wider industry trends, with the national retail sales benchmark falling by 0.2% while footfall across the broader market declined by 0.3%. Donna Howitt, deputy estate director at Liverpool ONE, said: “We have delivered the strongest Golden Quarter to date, which is a true testament to the quality of brands and breadth of choice at Liverpool ONE. “But we know that the success of the Golden Quarter highlights the importance of bringing families together, whether they are enjoying our public spaces, taking part in seasonal activities or combining leisure and hospitality with shopping. “Looking ahead to 2026, we remain focused on strengthening Liverpool ONE’s position as a place to come together at the heart of Liverpool city centre, while continuing to evolve our programme of vibrant events planned and our strong retail and leisure offer...

News

Shaftesbury Capital brings Arôme Bakery to Chinatown London

Shaftesbury Capital has signed an agreement with Arôme Bakery that will see the operator join its Chinatown London estate. The concept will take a 900 sq ft space at 92 Shaftesbury Avenue, serving a selection of bakes and seasonal soft serve, with a menu that looks to combine traditional French pastry craft with East Asian flavours. The café will be led by co-founders Alix Andre and restaurateur Ellen Chew – who also operates Chinatown restaurants such as Singapulah and Rasa Sayang. Arôme Bakery will join a number of food and beverage operators within Chinatown London including Mamasons, Bun House, Chinatown Bakery, Sakurado, and Mrs Bakery. Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Ellen Chew has a deep understanding of Chinatown London, with Rasa Sayang and nearby Singapulah going from strength to strength, so it’s great for us to be partnering with her again, alongside Alix Andre. Arôme Bakery has a unique offer and product, which is a recipe for success in a place that already has a curious and well-informed customer base, with respect for the flavours of the ESEA region.” Ellen Chew, co-founder of Arôme Bakery, added: “Our relationship with Shaftesbury Capital is one that...

Deals

Freight Island appointed at Landsec’s Trinity Kitchen in Leeds

Landsec has appointed Freight Island as the new operator of Trinity Kitchen at Trinity Leeds shopping centre, ahead of a £15m expansion. The Trinity Leeds location will be a fourth venue for Freight Island, which operates food hall and entertainment venues. The expansion represents Landsec’s most significant single investment in Trinity Leeds since it opened, and will add 15,000 sq ft to Trinity Kitchen, creating a 63,000 sq ft food and leisure destination. Construction will begin in late spring, with the new space with Freight Island set to open in the summer. Trinity Kitchen will continue to trade throughout works. Since launching in 2013, Trinity Kitchen has offered an indoor street-food concept, combining permanent eateries with a rotating line-up of street-food van and supporting almost 300 independent traders over the last decade. Mark Warne, director of hospitality and leisure at Landsec, said: “Trinity Kitchen was a pioneer in bringing fresh, innovative food concepts into a retail environment, and this significant investment marks the next chapter in its evolution. We’re building on Trinity Kitchen’s success and reimagining it for a new generation with a greater emphasis on evening trade and entertainment, creating a landmark destination in Leeds which our guests will return...

News

Metrocentre adds to fashion lineup with pair of new signings

Metrocentre in Gateshead has added to its fashion lineup with the signings of Hollister and Lovisa. Hollister, which is owned by Abercrombie & Fitch, is set to open a 6,000 sq ft space in the scheme’s Red Mall this summer, adjacent to Stradivarius and the upsized Superdrug. The store will offer a selection of clothing, accessories, and fragrances. Lovisa will move into an adjacent unit to Hollister over the coming months, with the retailer taking 957 sq ft of space in the Red Mall. The store will offer a range of jewellery, including earrings, necklaces, and rings, as well as its free piercing service. These signings follow a number of additions to Metrocentre’s fashion line-up throughout 2025, including Stradivarius and Urban Outfitters. These brands sit alongside the likes of Reiss, Mango, and Zara. Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset manager of Metrocentre, said: “The strategic addition of Hollister is a clear demonstration of our commitment to delivering a prime retail mix, one that hits the right notes across our entire visitor demographic. Our fashion offer is growing in response to evidenced demand; we are continuing to attract the best-in-class shop fits, and Hollister’s desire to be part...

Deals News

NewRiver agrees deal to sell £26.5m Scottish retail park

NewRiver has exchanged contracts on the disposal of Cuckoo Bridge Retail Park in Dumfries, Scotland, for proceeds of £26.5m. The 130,000 sq ft retail park is fully let to retailers including KFC, Costa, B&M and Dunelm, and sits adjacent to a 24 hour Tesco Supermarket, with a Next collection pod. NewRiver said the conditions of the disposal will be discharged during the final quarter of its 2026 financial year. This comes as the real estate investment trust (REIT) releases an update for the third quarter, during which it recorded an occupancy rate of 96.1%. This was up from 95.3% at the end of September, with the REIT maintaining a retailer retention rate of 91%. During the quarter, NewRiver completed 234,500 sq ft of new lettings and renewals, securing £2.1m in annualised income across 98 transactions. Key leasing transactions completed during the period included deals with Boots and B&M in Middlesbrough and H&M in Bexleyheath. During the quarter, NewRiver also completed the disposals of The Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead and Sprucefield Retail Park in Lisburn for combined proceeds of £12.6 million. In the year-to-date, NewRiver completed 650,800 sq ft of leasing deals, with long-term transactions 8.2% ahead of estimated rental value and...

News

POP MART to make Welsh debut at St David’s Cardiff

POP MART is set to open its first store in Wales at Cardiff’s St David’s Centre. The pop culture and entertainment retailer will take a 2,529 sq ft space on the upper level of the Grand Arcade, close to River Island and Zara. It will also in close proximity to the newly opened Sephora store, which opened at St David’s late last year. The new location will feature the retailer’s best-selling ranges including THE MONSTERS – with its famous Labubu dolls – as well as HIRONO and SKULLPANDA. POP MART currently has 13 physical stores in the UK, with five of these in London. Other stores are located in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, or Cambridge. Helen Morgan, centre director at St David’s Cardiff, said: “Following strong demand from our guests, we’re thrilled to be bringing POP MART to St David’s. With its loyal global following, POP MART’s arrival reflects our long-term commitment to bringing exciting, world-class brands to Wales. We know the brand will be hugely popular and that there will be a great deal of anticipation for its arrival.”

Deals News

The Venue at Cribbs Causeway adds Wingstop to F&B lineup

Cribbs Causeway in Bristol is set to add Wingstop to its food and beverage lineup, after the restaurant chain signed a 15-year lease for a 4,500 sq ft unit at The Venue. Wingstop will join brands such as Wagamama, Nando’s, Chopstix, Itsu, Patisserie Valerie, and Slim Chickens as part of Cribbs’ F&B line-up – as well as recent arrivals Pizza Express and Honest Burger, both of which have opened new restaurants at Cribbs over the past couple of months. Wingstop has become one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country since launching in the UK in 2018, and now operates over 85 locations nationwide. The brand will look to tap into Cribbs’ growing Gen Z audience, which increased by 13% in 2025 with 36% of visitors being younger shoppers – above the national average of 30%. Iain Minto, senior director of asset management at Sovereign Centros by CBRE, said: “As we continue to evolve the F&B line-up at Cribbs to cater for a growing GenZ audience it is important to welcome popular brands such as Wingstop UKI. With a great offering, Wingstop UKI has grown into one of the UK and Ireland’s most popular restaurant chains, especially amongst younger...

Deals

US fashion brand to make European debut on Carnaby Street

Shaftesbury Capital has signed American fashion brand Edikted for its first store in Europe in Soho, London. Situated at 52-55 Carnaby Street, the 4,800 sq ft space will stock a range of women’s apparel and streetwear. The store will be located opposite TALA, which also made its UK debut with Shaftesbury Capital following online success. Edikted’s arrival follows the recent openings of ALOHAS and Sheep Inc, which also chose Soho for their physical store debuts. William Oliver, director of retail and restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Along Carnaby Street and across Soho, we’ve introduced a number of debuts from leading online retailers, as it’s the perfect location for brands to recreate their digital presence through a physical retail experience. Launching on one of London’s busiest shopping streets means Edikted is well placed to replicate the brand’s phenomenal success at The Grove in Los Angeles and New York’s Soho. Creating another exciting point of difference for Carnaby Street and reflecting exactly what our consumers want.” Mina Fam, head of retail at Edikted, added: “We’ve already experienced significant success across our locations in the US, so as we look to officially enter the UK market, it’s key we launch somewhere we...

Deals News

Real Harbour adds to leadership team as it targets £250m portfolio

Investment and asset management platform Real Harbour has appointed Gary McNamara as a partner, as the recently launched firm targets a £250m portfolio. He will focus on investment strategy, deal origination, and capital formation, working alongside Stuart Mitchell, who founded Real Harbour in November 2025. The firm is looking to create an investment management portfolio that comprises retail warehousing, supermarket developments, selected shopping centres, multi-let industrial assets, and open storage. McNamara joins from The Ardent Companies – which owns The Royal Exchange in London and Touchwood Solihull – where he was investment director. He has also previously held senior roles within Inspired Villages, part of Legal & General’s later-living platform, and the DTZ Capital Markets team. McNamara and Mitchell have known each other for more than 20 years, having previously studied and played rugby together at Reading University. Gary McNamara said: “Real Harbour Capital has been established at a compelling point in the market cycle, with strong opportunities currently identified across retail and logistics sectors. Stuart and I have known each other for over 20 years and have always shared a similar outlook on how capital and asset management should be aligned. Stuart has built a business with a clear...

News

Comment: Supporting Small Business scheme ‘prolongs the agony’ for hospitality and retail sector

As the Government plans to introduce new measures to deal with business rates from April this year, a leading specialist on business rates at Form Property believes that retailers, pubs and restaurants in the UK are quietly heading towards a business rates reckoning – and some won’t survive it. Andrea Barnes, head of business rates at Form Property, says that the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) sector is already ‘on life support’: “In recent years, many businesses have absorbed the loss of vital retail and hospitality relief – previously worth 75 per cent but reduced from April 2025 to 40 per cent. Layer on top of that the new legislation fixing multipliers at a minimum of 0.38, plus rising rateable values at the 2026 revaluation, and the numbers quickly become unworkable. “For a typical independent pub or restaurant, rates bills are set to rise by an average of £8,000-£10,000 a year from April 2026. In some cases, increases are even higher – enough to swallow margins that are often already razor-thin. “If the Government doesn’t act quickly, the fallout will be dramatic. New modelling from the UK hospitality trade body shows around six pubs, restaurants, hotels and other hospitality venues...

Insights News

Railpen secures pair of retail and leisure lettings at Birmingham’s Multistory

Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme in the UK, has signed two retail and leisure brands at Multistory, it’s 295,000 sq ft office building in Birmingham. These signings follow the completion of phase one of the building, which saw the creation of 27,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space on the ground floor, with one unit remaining to let. Launching its first location in Birmingham is the Liverpool-founded 92 Degrees Coffee. Opening in early February, the coffee shop will be open to both the public and tenants, offering sit-in or takeaway coffee, alongside a kiosk with a dedicated co-working hub. Also joining Multistory is gym and wellness studio That Day Fitness, which has signed for a 5,300 sq ft space. Due to open in Q1 of this year, the space will offer wellbeing workshops, fitness classes, therapy, and coaching. That Day Fitness will add to a collection of amenity uses within Multistory’s workspaces, including a library, a 15,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor bar and café area with a 2,000 sq ft terrace, an adjoining atrium, and a unique 80-seat auditorium. Emily Atkinson, asset and transaction manager at Railpen, said: “Securing That Day Fitness and 92 Degrees Coffee is...

Deals News

Liverpool’s Clayton Square fully let following Savers’ city debut

Clayton Square in Liverpool is now fully let following the opening of Savers, with the health and beauty retailer making its city debut at the scheme. The retailer has moved into a 3,151 sq ft space previously occupied by Bodycare, stocking a range of products across the haircare, skincare, perfume, beauty, and wellbeing categories. Savers joins a health and beauty offer at Clayton Square which also includes Boots. Dan Tucker, asset manager at Redical, owner and operator of Clayton Square, said: “Clayton Square is differentiated in Liverpool because we prioritise giving customers the best selection of essential retailers, which Savers adds to. That its launch returns the centre to being fully let makes it a double win too, and highlights Clayton Square’s appeal as a desirable location for key brands due to its strong footfall that comes from being at the centre of the city.” Clare Jennings, property director at Savers, added: “We’re excited to be opening our brand-new store in Clayton Square. Opening in this area was an important next step in growing Saver’s footprint in the area due to its strong footfall among our already existing loyal, local shoppers. This marks an exciting milestone for our customers in Liverpool and...

Deals News

Lululemon to make Midlands debut at Birmingham’s Bullring