Retail Property Deals

Sri Lankan street food concept to debut in Covent Garden

2nd May 2025

ADOH!, a new Sri Lankan street food concept from the founders of Kolamba, is set to open in London’s Covent Garden this summer. Opening at 36 Maiden Lane, ADOH! is named after a Sri Lankan exclamation used in greeting or surprise. The concept will look to capture the vibrancy of Sri Lankan street food culture in a casual dining setting. ADOH! will be walk-in only with 70 covers inside and a further 12 outside, featuring decor inspired by the visual language of Sri Lanka. The concept will look to build on the success of Kolamba, which previously made its debut on the nearby Kingly Street. The signing will add to the destination’s existing selection of restaurants, neighbouring the likes of Ave Mario, Cinnamon Bazaar, Flat Iron, Sticks’n’Sushi, SUSHISAMBA, thirty7, and The Oystermen. Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “The diversification of Covent Garden’s F&B line-up continues with another standout signing in ADOH!, which will deliver the theatre of Sri Lankan street food to the centre of London’s theatre scene. Founded by the team behind ever-popular Kolamba, who we welcomed to Kingly Street in 2019, ADOH!’s signing will perfectly complement our unrivalled culinary offer.” The signing follows […]

Popeyes joins F&B line-up at Lakeside Shopping Centre

2nd May 2025

Popeyes is set to join the food and beverage line-up at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex. The American fried chicken restaurant has taken a 1,750 sq ft restaurant on level three of the shopping centre, located in The Eatery. Opening next week, the operator will join existing restaurants at Lakeside including Five Guys and Taco Bell. This latest arrival continues a period of renewed expansion for Popeyes, and marks the brand’s 80th opening in the UK. Rob Jewell, managing director of asset management at Pradera Lateral, said: “We are committed to diversifying and elevating dining offerings and retail experiences, and the opening of Popeyes will undoubtedly be a popular addition to the centre. With the ongoing F&B expansions, the addition of Popeyes keeps Lakeside’s food experience exciting, fresh, and full of choice – just another way that the centre is committed to going above and beyond for its visitors.” Tom Crowley, Popeyes UK chief executive officer, added: “2025 is set to be another incredibly exciting year for Popeyes, including the launch of two new restaurants in the Essex area. Our mission has always been to bring our New Orleans spirit to new locations across the UK, and we look forward to sharing...

Frasers Group opens two stores at Westfield Stratford

1st May 2025

Frasers Group has opened two stores at Westfield Stratford City in East London, as both Sports Direct and FLANNELS join the scheme. Continuing its expansion across London, Sports Direct has opened a two-storey, 20,000 sq ft store, offering a range of apparel, footwear, and equipment for men, women, and children. The store offers products from brands such as Nike, Adidas, PUMA, Under Armour, New Balance, and ASICS, and features a dedicated section for fellow Frasers Group brand GAME. Lauren Barrie, group head of retail at Frasers Group, said: “As one of the world’s most dynamic sports markets, London continues to play a vital role in our strategy. “The opening of our Westfield Stratford City store builds on the momentum from Oxford Street and White City and highlights our ambition to deliver cutting-edge retail experiences in key locations.” Meanwhile, FLANNELS has opened in a 5,000 sq ft space, offering luxury and contemporary fashion brands across menswear, womenswear, footwear, and accessories. Lauren Barrie added: “The relocation of FLANNELS Stratford reflects our continued investment in elevating the customer experience and strengthening our presence in key markets. Despite wider market challenges, we are focused on delivering dynamic environments that meet the evolving expectations of […]

Mango leads 23,000 sq ft of lettings at The Lexicon

1st May 2025

Mango has opened at The Lexicon in Bracknell, as the scheme welcomes 23,039 sq ft of new retail, F&B, and leisure lettings. The Spanish fashion brand has taken a 19,210 sq ft store in a flagship letting for the scheme. The retailer bolsters the centre’s fashion offering, which includes the likes of Fenwick, M&S, Tk Maxx, H&M, Next, and Primark. Also joining The Lexicon is Rituals, which is opening a 2,035 sq ft store. The bath, body, and home products retailer joins other health and beauty options at the scheme including Boots, L’Occitane, The Fragrance Shop, and Superdrug. Finally, coffee shop chain Jamaica Blue will join the Bracknell shopping centre after signing for a 1,794 sq ft space. Founded in Australia in 1992, Jamaica Blue now has cafés in seven different countries, with an increasing UK presence. The Lexicon is owned by a joint venture between Schroders Capital and Legal & General Capital. Tom Woolven, asset manager for Schroders Capital’s real estate team, said: “It is great to secure such a strong selection of new arrivals at The Lexicon as we continue to diversify our tenant mix. Both Mango and Rituals are favourites amongst UK shoppers, so they are really […]

Schuh to open flagship store at Edinburgh’s St James Quarter

28th April 2025

Schuh is set to open a flagship Scottish store at St James Quarter in Edinburgh. The footwear brand has agreed to take a 5,500 sq ft space on Level One of the Galleria, joining retailers such as Superdrug, Boots, and Moss. Schuh’s new store will feature the brand’s revamped concept, which includes digital screens, a redesigned layout, and updated product displays. The arrival of Schuh – which itself was founded in Edinburgh – will bring Level One of St James Quarter to 100% let. Chris Pyne, leasing director for St James Quarter, said: “Schuh is a great addition to St James Quarter, adding even more choice to our comprehensive retail offer that is now Scotland’s go-to location for leading UK and international brands. For a brand with depth in Scotland to choose the Quarter for its launch of a brand-new concept store underlines the confidence retailers have in St James Quarter as the number one retail destination in Scotland.” The signing of Schuh follows the recent opening of POLO Ralph Lauren on St James Quarter’s Level Three. P-THREE and Culverwell represent St James Quarter. CBRE represented Schuh.

Competitive socialising concept picks Metrocentre for second UK venue

24th April 2025

Competitive socialising concept Activate will open its second venue in the UK at Gateshead’s Metrocentre. The technology-led gaming concept joins a number of other leisure operators at Metrocentre, including Treetop Golf, Clip ‘n Climb, Namco Funscape, and The Escapologist. The concept, which launched in Canada in 2017, has 60 locations across North America and Dubai. It was brought to the UK by We Do Play, the experiential leisure group behind the Flip Out, Putt Putt Social, and Boom Battle Bar brands. Activate – which opened its first UK venue at London’s O2 in December – will also be opening in Leicester and London’s Oxford Street later this year, in addition to the Metrocentre venue. Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset Manager of Metrocentre, said: “Activate is unlike anything we currently have at Metrocentre, or indeed anything that exists in the North East, so it will offer a real point of difference to a destination that already dominates its region. “We know there is growing demand from our visitors for more competitive socialising concepts and Activate is the perfect operator to deliver a dynamic and unique experience, one that at the moment can only be found in London. Our ability...

Maki & Ramen to make North East debut at Eldon Square

24th April 2025

Maki & Ramen is set to open its first restaurant in the North East of England at Eldon Square in Newcastle. The Japanese dining concept will take a 3,150 sq ft space at the shopping, dining, and leisure destination for its 10th opening in the UK. Maki & Ramen at Eldon Square will look to bridge the gap between high-end sushi restaurants and grab-and-go convenience, featuring a full sushi bar, a traditional Japanese menu, and cocktails. The arrival of Maki & Ramen this summer forms part of Eldon Square’s push to enhance its hospitality mix. This has seen recent lettings to the likes of Wingstop, while future additions such as Flight Club and Freight Island are set to further add to the centre’s offer. Launched 10 years ago, Maki & Ramen has grown its regional footprint, operating restaurants in locations such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, and Leeds. Kitty Vaughan, head of UK leisure and F&B leasing at Pradera Lateral, said: “We’re proud to have secured the first North East branch of Maki & Ramen for Eldon Square. Their unique, high-quality offering adds another exciting layer to our growing food and drink line-up and plays a key role in our mission to […]

Savills welcomes two retail and hospitality occupiers to Manchester suburb

23rd April 2025

Two retail and hospitality occupiers have opened within the Manchester suburb of Didsbury, with Savills acting for the landlord on each of the lettings. At 756 Wilmslow Road, homeware and fashion retailer Oliver Bonas has signed a 10-year agreement with landlord Hyrst Garth Estate for a two-storey, 5,000 sq ft unit. Meanwhile, at the nearby 41/43 Lapwing Lane, Portas Tapas has opened its fourth restaurant in the North West of England after signing a 10-year lease with Lapwing Investments for a ground floor and basement unit, totalling 2,400 sq ft. Situated five miles from Manchester city centre, Didsbury is home to a mix of independent and regional businesses. The suburb looks to offer a village feel that attracts a community-minded population, while remaining within reach of the amenities in the town. Jonathan Netley, retail director at Savills Manchester, said: “These two lettings are just the latest in a series of businesses wanting to have a presence in Didsbury. It offers the perfect combination of an established local community and easy access into Manchester city centre. These latest lettings are testament to its growing attraction and both offer appealing locations for attracting footfall.”

Manchester Arndale to welcome family-run jewellers

23rd April 2025

Manchester Arndale is set to welcome Wongs Jewellers after the family-run business signed a 10-year lease for a 1,935 sq ft space within the shopping centre. Founded in 1979 and known for its engagement rings and bespoke pieces, Wongs Jewellers at Manchester Arndale will feature a jewellery bar, a photo booth, and an open workshop. The brand becomes the latest premium retailer to move to Manchester Arndale after the scheme welcomed 23 new tenants last year. The centre is now home to established brands including Zara, Next, B&M, Go Outdoors, and Sports Direct, as well as growing retailers such as BPerfect, PureSeoul, Represent and Trailberg, with the latter two selecting Manchester Arndale for their first physical retail space. Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “Wongs Jewellers is a fantastic addition to Manchester Arndale, aligning perfectly with our strategy to curate a diverse and premium retail mix. Their reputation for craftsmanship and customer service will resonate strongly with our shoppers, and we’re delighted to support another independent brand as it grows its presence in the heart of the city.” Scott Linard, portfolio director for M&G Real Estate, added: “The signing of Wongs Jewellers reflects the […]

Devon outlet centre strengthens fitness offering with PureGym signing

22nd April 2025

Affinity Devon, the outlet shopping centre in Bideford, is set to welcome PureGym this summer. The arrival of the gym operator’s 5,000 sq ft space will mark the opening of the first fitness space at the Devon-based outlet centre. PureGym at Affinity Devon will feature the operator’s full range of fitness facilities, including gym equipment, instructor-led classes, and a free weights area, supplemented by free parking. The operator’s arrival is set to enhance the outlet centre’s sports and athleisure offering, which includes the likes of Sports Direct, Saltrock, and Skechers. Nicky Lovell, head of outlets and business development at Global Mutual, said: “Affinity Devon is a well-established outlet centre in an exciting period of growth, with a broad range of prominent brands across fashion, lifestyle, F&B and sport, as well as its excellent location. The opening of PureGym enhances the centre’s retail and leisure mix and levels up its offering to align with its visitors’ demands. We are look forward to building on this momentum and further strengthening Affinity Devon’s appeal.” A spokesperson at PureGym added: “There is huge appetite for affordable gyms in Devon and we are delighted to be opening a brand-new club in Bideford at Affinity Devon....

Angel Central welcomes Therapié Clinic following record-breaking first quarter

22nd April 2025

Angel Central in Islington has welcomed health and beauty specialist Therapié Clinic, as the scheme celebrates a record-breaking first quarter. The brand has taken a 2,172 sq ft space at the centre, joining other health and wellbeing brands at Angel Central including Rituals, Holland & Barrett, L’Occitane, and Frame. With over 75 locations across the UK, Ireland, and the United States, Therapié Clinic provides services such as laser hair removal, cosmetic injections, and skin treatments. The new clinic is the brand’s first in Islington and takes Angel Central’s ground floor to full occupancy. This comes after a strong first quarter for the centre, with footfall up by a record-breaking 8.4% compared to the first quarters of 2024 and 2019. Sales were up by 12.4% year-on-year during the period, whilst like for-like sales increased by 4.4%. Simon Prince, senior associate at CBRE Investment Management, said: “Angel Central is continuing to perform at a high level. Visitor numbers are increasing, sales are exceeding previous years, and we have a fully let ground floor with brands excelling. Our strong performance is a testament to the solid relationship we foster with our brands and the community, and Therapié Clinic is a new and exciting […]

French Connection to open at Scottish outlet centre

22nd April 2025

French Connection is set to open a new store at Caledonia Park, the designer outlet village in Gretna, Scotland. The fashion brand’s new location will span 2,200 sq ft and is set to open within the coming weeks, offering a range of womenswear and accessories. The arrival of French Connection at Caledonia Park will add to the centre’s existing fashion offer, which includes the likes of POLO Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade New York, and Calvin Klein. This comes after Caledonia Park experienced a strong start to the year, with year-to-date sales up by 10% compared to 2024. Standout categories included sports and outdoors, which saw a rise in year-on-year sales of 16%, and health and beauty, which recorded an increase of 11%. Maria Averkina, asset and development manager at Railpen, which owns Caledonia Park, said: “Womenswear is an important category within our destination and one which we are always looking to enhance and evolve, with French Connection adding to our dynamic tenant mix. The brand has achieved significant success since re-entering the outlet market in 2023 and is a distinguished retailer that will help us continue to break records and reach new milestones.” Simon Donoghue, head of retail at French...