Retail Property Deals

UNIQLO to make Glasgow debut

25th March 2025

UNIQLO is set to open its second store in Scotland on Glasgow’s Argyle Street, with the fashion retailer set to make its debut in the city. The store will span approximately 23,500 sq ft and is set to open later this year. The signing continues the ongoing transformation of Argyle Street, following from Next’s opening on the street at the end of last year. UNIQLO’s Glasgow store joins the retailer’s other Scottish location in Edinburgh, which opened last year. UNIQLO has over 20 stores in the UK, in locations such as London’s Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and Battersea, as well as regional locations including Manchester, Liverpool, and Oxford. The retailer is also set to make its debut at Bullring in Birmingham for its first store in the Midlands. Savills acted for the landlord Sovereign Centros, whilst Sims Property Consultants acted for UNIQLO.

Wingstop opens fourth restaurant in Leeds

25th March 2025

Wingstop has opened its fourth restaurant in Leeds at Cardigan Fields Leisure Park. Spanning 4,000 sq ft, the restaurant offers the chain’s usual menu of wings, tenders, burgers, and sides. The opening follows Wingstop’s success of its other Leeds locations in White Rose Shopping Centre, Boar Lane, and its kitchen delivery sites. Since entering the UK in 2018 through master franchisee Lemon Pepper Holdings, Wingstop has now expanded to 62 sites. Earlier this year, the operator announced record expansion plans for 2025, with the new Leeds restaurant one of more than 20 new locations set to launch by the end of this year. The announcement followed Wingstop’s appointment of a new head of acquisitions last autumn. In March 2025, Wingstop UK was listed in the Financial Times’ FT 1000, the paper’s annual ranking of Europe’s fastest-growing companies. Last year, it was recognised by The Sunday Times as the 38th fastest-growing private business in the country in the Sunday Times 100.

UNIQLO to makes Midlands debut at Birmingham’s Bullring

24th March 2025

UNIQLO is set to open its first store in the Midlands at Hammerson’s Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham. The 20,000 sq ft store will span three floors with a trading area of 11,840 sq ft, offering the brand’s full range of clothing for men, women, and children. The Birmingham store marks a key strategic signing for UNIQLO – which is aligned with the city’s younger, affluent demographic – as it continues its regional expansion across the UK. Paul O’Brien, director of leasing and commercialisation at Hammerson, said: “Bullring continues to attract best-in-class global brands seeking a flagship presence in the region, reinforcing its position as the leading Midlands destination. UNIQLO is the latest brand to make a significant commitment to Bullring, reflecting the strength of our position, quality of the asset, and exceptional line-up of leading names in retail.” Alessandro Dudech, chief operating officer of UNIQLO UK, added: “UNIQLO continues to invest in the UK retail landscape, growing our footprint and e-commerce across the nation. Bringing the brand to the Midlands for the first time is a key strategic step for us, and Bullring’s prominent position in the UK’s second city made for the ideal location.” The news follows ongoing […]

Derbion expands fashion offering with duo of signings

24th March 2025

Derbion shopping centre in Derby is set to expand its fashion offering with the arrivals of Cornish brand Seasalt and Midlands-based clothing company Luke 1977 later this year. Seasalt has signed a 10-year lease for a 2,400 sq ft unit which will become its first store at a major East Midlands shopping destination. Meanwhile, Luke 1977 will occupy a 1,200 sq ft space, its 15th store in the UK. Founded in Penzance in 1981, Seasalt began by selling workwear to local farmers, fishermen, and artists. Since then, the brand has grown to offer products that are inspired by the creative and maritime heritage of Cornwall. Created in 2001 by Midlands-born Luke Roper, Luke 1977 has looks to offer a blend of streetwear and tailoring with the brand’s lion crest becoming an emblem for British style. The signings follow the recent news that Victoria’s Secret will be coming to Derbion as the shopping centre continues to expand its fashion line up. Last year Derbion welcomed brands such as Castore, White Stuff and Pavers, whilst also retaining key names such as JD Sports and New Look. Beth McDonald, managing director at Derbion, said: “Seasalt and Luke 1977 are fantastic brands with strong […]

Cadogan secures first retail tenants at Chelsea mixed-use development

21st March 2025

Cadogan Estates has secured its first retail signings at The Gaumont, a £235m mixed-use development on Chelsea’s King’s Road. The new signings are independent businesses New Forms, BookBar, and Art Play, bringing a blend of art, music, and literature to the neighbourhood. All three tenants are set to open in late spring 2025. Independent bookshop, wine, and coffee bar BookBar will take a 1,242 sq ft unit, creating a literary scene through author talks, book clubs, and events, while also providing a space for late night browsing and drinking four days a week. New Forms will occupy 1,045 sq ft as a vinyl café and boutique record shop, created by the team behind Next Door Records. It will also feature a music-led bar that hosts events and collaborations with artists and musicians. Art Play will initially establish itself at 20a Chelsea Manor Street before relocating to a larger 2,200 sq. ft space at 5 Chelsea Manor Street. The Shoreditch-founded brand’s Chelsea expansion will offer a space for artists and art fans alike. It will also provide workshops, exhibitions, and a collaborative environment for the local art community. This marks the first phase of singings for The Gaumont, a 220,000 sq. […]

Newmark advises luxury brand on two new openings

20th March 2025

Newmark has advised British luxury lifestyle brand Fairfax & Favor on securing two new stores as part of its ongoing expansion. The new stores – which are both situated in former bank buildings – are located in Southwold, Suffolk and Shaftesbury, Dorset. Newmark has worked with Fairfax & Favor since 2020, acting as the brand’s sole retail property consultant. Their partnership has seen the retailer secure locations in Helmsley, Stamford, Stow, and Marlow. Fairfax & Favor is looking to expand further, with more openings planned as part of its long-term strategy. Angus Harper, associate director at Newmark, said: “We are delighted to support Fairfax & Favor in securing two new locations. Whilst most expansion strategies start in major cities, we focused on staying true to Fairfax & Favor’s rural DNA by acquiring sites in characterful market towns. Many of Fairfax & Favor’s customers will travel significant distances so it is important that these destinations are of a quality that are worth the journey. Each Fairfax & Favor store sits within a beautiful historic building within a quintessentially British town. “The brand’s unique approach to expansion has proven highly successful, and we look forward to further work together as the brand continues to...

FMX secures eight London sites for M&S food halls

20th March 2025

FMX Urban Property Advisers has secured eight new sites in London on behalf of Marks & Spencer for its food hall concept. Over the last six months, the advisory group has secured sites for M&S in: FMX said: “With a number of other deals close to exchange this quarter, and several others in legals, we are continuously looking for the next tranche of openings. Whether these are leasehold, freehold, development opportunities, land parcels, high street, retail park, or standalone opportunities – we will consider them all!” M&S said towards the end of last year that it wanted to “go faster” with regards to store acquisitions. FMX encouraged any parties with locations suitable for new M&S food hall locations to speak to its team members David Justice, Henry Foreman, and Howard Quigley.

Trio of Meadowhall tenants sign for 42,000 sq ft of upsizes

20th March 2025

Meadowhall in Sheffield has completed a trio of deals, with JD Sports, Superdrug, and Ann Summers upsizing their stores to a combined 42,278 sq ft of space. Nearly trebling its presence at the shopping centre, JD Sports is taking five adjacent units to create a 29,225 sq ft store, its largest in the region and second-largest in the country. Opening in 2026, the new store will feature a 63 metre frontage, dedicated brand and product areas, and in-store activations. Meanwhile, Superdrug is relocating on Meadowhall’s Lower Level High Street and is set to open one of its largest stores in the country in late May. The 10,199 sq ft store will feature beauty products alongside treatments such as ear piercing, manicures, and eyebrow threading. Ann Summers will also be upsizing to a unit on the scheme’s Lower Level High Street, with the 2,854 sq ft store set to offer an improved store design and a wider range of products. Richard Crowther, retail leasing director at British Land, asset manager of Meadowhall, said: “Meadowhall continues to attract strategic investment from leading national and international brands. JD, Superdrug, and Ann Summers are the latest tenants to recommit to the destination, following 26 […]

Space NK picks Bullring for largest store outside of London

19th March 2025

Space NK is set to open its largest store outside of London at Hammerson’s Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham. The beauty brand’s 5,500 sq ft store will be located on the scheme’s Upper Level East, adjacent to AllSaints, Coach, and Dr Martens. Opening this summer, the regional flagship will span 4,356 sq ft of trading space, and will feature a dedicated consultation area for make-up and skincare. The signing comes after a successful year for beauty sales at Bullring & Grand Central, making it the best-performing category at the destination. This was bolstered by the openings of Sephora’s West Midlands flagship and the regional debut of Korean beauty retailer PURESEOUL. The new additions added to the existing roster of beauty and wellness retailers at Bullring, which includes Boots, Kiko Milano, and Selfridges’ beauty and cosmetics hall, as well as Grand Central’s line-up which features the likes of Kiehl’s, L’Occitane, and MAC. Paul O’Brien, director of leasing and commercialisation at Hammerson, said: “Bullring and Grand Central continues to be the place to go for health and beauty in Birmingham. Hammerson’s strategy of creating best-in-class spaces for international brands seeking a flagship presence in destinations that out-perform is evidenced by Space NK’s decision […]

LEGO builds on Manchester Arndale success with store upsize

19th March 2025

The LEGO Group is set to build on its success at Manchester Arndale with the opening of an upsized store at the shopping centre. The toy brand will be taking the former Morphe unit next door to its current store – which it has occupied for almost 15 years – increasing its presence from 2,934 sq ft to 7,434 sq ft. LEGO’s new store will include features such as a ‘Pick a Brick Wall’, a ‘Build a Minifigure Tower’, and opportunities for hands-on play such as free build challenges and events. The relocation comes after LEGO opened its 20th UK store at Cribbs Mall, Bristol in 2024. Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, joint asset managers of Manchester Arndale, said: “It is great to see LEGO commit its long-term future to Manchester Arndale with a new larger store. LEGO is one of our most popular retailers and we expect their enhanced space will attract even more shoppers. The commitment of leading retailers such as LEGO highlights the belief international brands have in Manchester Arndale which continues to attract visitors from across the North West and beyond.” Shweta Munshi, vice president of marketing, LEGO retail at the LEGO Group, added: “We...

Developer completes trio of Northern retail projects

18th March 2025

Northern developer Almscliffe-Dhesi (AD) has completed three major retail projects in the North East of England and North Lincolnshire. The developments in Peterlee, Crook, and Scunthorpe are each home to national retailers and open for business. In Peterlee, AD has transformed a disused Vauxhall car dealership on the outskirts of the town into a local convenience cluster. Tenants at the 13,027 sq ft development include Sainsbury’s, The Tanning Shop, Greggs, Dominos, CVS Vets, and EVC Electric Vehicle Chargers. The Peterlee development is for sale, with a final 1,250 sq ft unit available to let. In Crook, AD has bought a redundant 2,240 sq ft unit on South Street which has been divided in two, with Domino’s and Banking Hub now in residence. This development is also for sale. In Scunthorpe, AD has completed a 7,300 sq ft roadside scheme that includes a Starbucks drive-through, a Co-op, and The Tanning Shop, along with electric vehicle charging ports. The Starbucks unit has been sold to the franchisee K Beverage, whilst the rest of the development has been acquired by a private investor. Alongside these new openings, AD has also commenced work on a new retail development at Faverdale in north west Darlington. […]

London-based clothing brand to open King’s Road pop-up

18th March 2025

London-based clothing brand Minka Dink is set to open a pop-up store within the Sloane Stanley Estate on Chelsea’s King’s Road. The brand will take a 1,728 sq ft unit at 324-326 King’s Road for three weeks, showcasing its womenswear collections as well as the first drop of its Spring-Summer 2025 range. This will be the second pop-up store within the Sloane Stanley Estate for Minka Dink, which was launched as a passion project during the pandemic. Other brands that have chosen the estate for their physical retail debuts include Chinti & Parker, Prochaine, KayaNuka, and Seraphina. Minka Dink also joins Pepites – the boutique stocking womenswear, accessories, and jewellery – which has opened a pop-up at 281 King’s Road. Hannah Grievson, property director at Sloane Stanley, said: “Minka Dink achieved so much success during its first ever pop-up with us here last year, and to host its second pop-up is a real testament to the opportunities we provide for independent brands to thrive. Entering physical retail can be a daunting experience, especially for brands that have built a strong following on social media, and our role is to make it that little bit easier, providing guidance and support at...