Retail Property Deals

Victoria Leeds welcomes two new openings amid record footfall

5th December 2024

Victoria Leeds has welcomed the opening of two new stores, as the scheme records its strongest-ever yearly footfall figures at Victoria Gate in 2024. Making its regional debut, leather bag brand Cambridge Satchel has opened its third boutique in the UK within Victoria Quarter. The brand’s 881 sq ft store features a range of women’s and men’s collections, including satchels, handbags, backpacks, and briefcases. Meanwhile, independent home décor store Northhome has relocated and upsized within the scheme. The retailer has more than doubled its presence, now trading across four floors in a 4,230 sq ft store located in Victoria Quarter’s County Arcade. Northhome’s expanded store offers an expanded range of Scandinavian-style furniture, ceramics, lighting, kitchenware and skincare, as well as a new gourmet food hall and basement bar. The openings cap off what is expected to be the busiest year in Victoria Leeds’ eight-year history. Footfall at Victoria Gate is up 15% compared to the centre’s previously busiest footfall year of 2019. An additional 850,000 people have been through the scheme’s doors in 2024, with Victoria Gate on target to achieve a million more visitors than 2019 by the end of the year. Rachel Bradburn, leasing director at Victoria Leeds, […]

LCP repurposes over 41,000 sq ft at Sunderland retail park

4th December 2024

LCP, part of M Core, has welcomed three new tenants to M The Galleries Washington, taking the total amount of repurposed space at the Sunderland scheme to over 41,000 sq ft. Country Kitchen and Eden Mobility have opened on the ground floor, with Natural Soul Skincare adding to the retail offer on the first floor. These new openings follow on from 19 deals which have already been completed at M The Galleries this year. Country Kitchen has signed a five-year lease for a 1,167 sq ft unit in Wessington Square which has undergone a full refurbishment. Also committing to a five-year lease is Eden Mobility, which has opened in a 1,337 sq ft space. The retailer offers products and services for those with mobility needs, such as scooters, stairlifts, chairs and bathroom adaptations. Both retailers opened at the end of September. Sustainable beauty brand Natural Soul Skincare has also signed a five-year lease, taking a 280 sq ft unit which opened its doors in November. The centre has also been recently awarded a RoSPA Gold Award to recognising its levels of health and safety management, as well as a Green Apple award, commending its commitment to reducing energy consumption. Simon Eatough, director...

Womenswear brand opens first permanent UK store at Westfield London

4th December 2024

Womenswear brand Leem is set to open its first permanent store in the UK at Westfield London later this month. Taking a 1,100 sq ft space on the ground floor, Leem will return to the shopping centre on December 15th after opening a pop-up store last year. Offering the brand’s signature knitwear products and tailored maxi dresses, the store will look to provide something for customers across all styles and backgrounds. Leem entered the UK market in April 2022 through an exclusive partnership with Selfridges before open the pop-up location. Laura Waters, general manager at Westfield London, said: “The opening of Leem’s first permanent store at Westfield London highlights the success of its journey in the UK market. We’re proud to provide a platform for innovative international brands like Leem, which continues to captivate our shoppers with its timeless and stylish approach to modest fashion. This milestone not only enriches our retail offering but also reflects Westfield London’s position as a leading destination for brands seeking to grow and thrive in the UK.” Miles Young, managing director of Leem, added: “Following the incredible success of our pop-up store at Westfield, White City, we are thrilled to announce the opening of […]

SpaceNK opening caps off busy year of retail deals at Centre:mk

4th December 2024

SpaceNK has opened at Centre:mk, rounding off a busy year of retail openings and investments at the Milton Keynes scheme. The beauty retailer has opened a 1,721 sq ft store on Silbury Arcade, showcasing a selection of makeup and skincare products from over 100 brands. The new store features a dedicated consultation area for customers, who will also be able to sign up to SpaceNK’s loyalty scheme to earn redeemable points. SpaceNK becomes the latest in a series of openings at Centre:mk this year, with over 20 brands signing, opening, or reinvesting at the destination in 2024, amounting to almost 150,000 sq ft of space. Key openings this year at the scheme include Mint Velvet, Castore, Goldsmiths, and Office. Kevin Duffy, Centre:mk’s centre director, said: “SpaceNK’s launch is a fantastic way to bring 2024 retail openings to a close, following a year of significant investment from leading brands. This commitment from high-profile brands further reinforces Centre:mk’s reputation as a key regional destination, where that offers exceptional trading opportunities and high value for our retail partners.” The opening follows the recent launch of Centre:mk’s Smart City Experience Centre. In a UK-first, the 3,870 sq ft centre looks to serve as a […]

Wingstop continues expansion with Bradford opening

3rd December 2024

Wingstop UK has continued its expansion with its latest opening at The Broadway in Bradford. Spanning 2,800 sq ft, the chicken wing restaurant chain’s newest venue will host 50 covers and look to build on the brand’s presence in Leeds and Manchester, where it has five restaurants and two delivery kitchens. Having launched in 2018, Wingstop UK is set to have 57 sites by the end of the year, with plans to reach 200 locations within the next five years. Last month, the chain was named as one of the top 10 most-love eating-out brands in the UK, according to Savanta’s 2024 rankings. Chris Sherriff, CEO at Wingstop UK, said: “We’re excited to expand our reach in the North with today’s opening in Bradford. Thanks to the teams for their hard work towards opening here as we bring the best-tasting wings in the business to The Broadway’s hungry shoppers. As our UK expansion continues at pace, we’re looking forward to opening more sites across the UK in 2025, to meet the unparalleled demand for our wings.” In September, Wingstop UK named Adrian Saunders as head of acquisitions, as it continues to grow its footprint. The brand’s expansion is being supported […]

Go Outdoors pitches up at Manchester Arndale

3rd December 2024

Camping retailer Go Outdoors is set to join Manchester Arndale after agreeing a deal to take a 21,565 sq ft unit. Making its return to Manchester, the brand will offer equipment such as footwear, tents, and fishing gear across 12,000 sq ft of retail space. The store will also provide specialist services including boot and rucksack fitting. Go Outdoors adds to the existing array of retailers at Manchester Arndale, including recent additions such as Castore, Trailberg, Nike, and Represent – which made its UK debut in the last few weeks. Scott Linard, portfolio manager for M&G Real Estate, said: “Go Outdoors is an exciting brand and a big name in the outdoor clothing and equipment world, so we are thrilled to welcome them to Manchester Arndale. We strive to offer a diverse range of apparel and clothing for our shoppers which we have demonstrated this year by adding a vibrant array of retailers.” Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, added: “Having a strong mix of brands is crucial to our mission of maintaining our status as the North West’s leading retail destination. Our strong mix of retailers helps to attract both high footfall and spend...

Café concept makes West End debut in Soho

2nd December 2024

Asian-inspired artisanal café concept Nagare Coffee is set to open its first location in London’s West End in Shaftesbury Capital’s Soho neighbourhood. Opening in a 1,300 sq ft space at 2 Newburgh Street this December, Nagare Coffee in Soho becomes the brand’s second bricks-and-mortar location, joining its debut site in Spitalfields. Nagare, which means to ‘flow’ in Japanese, looks to take an alternative approach to the coffee shop, with a priority on premium beans and a menu offering a variety of single-origin, hand-filtered coffee from around the world. Nagare Coffee joins an existing ‘stop-and-pause’ offer in the Carnaby Street and Soho area, joining the likes of Donutelier, which opened in November. Dora Lau, co-owner of Nagare Coffee, said: “Nagare Coffee is the perfect café for the vibrant neighbourhood of Soho, bringing artisan practices and produce that will resonate with visitors. Hospitality contributes an enormous amount to the experience of Carnaby Street and Soho, so we cannot wait to embed ourselves within this leading location. As we build our reputation in London, there’s nowhere better for exposure to an informed audience.” The news follows the announcement that specialist Basque cheesecake vendor La Maritxu has recently joined the Soho neighbourhood at 10 […]

Popeyes makes Scottish shopping centre debut at Braehead

2nd December 2024

Fried chicken restaurant chain Popeyes is set to open for the first time within a Scottish shopping centre at Glasgow’s Braehead Shopping Centre. Seating up to 74 diners, the restaurant will serve Popeyes’ signature dishes including chicken sandwiches, wings, tenders, and biscuits with gravy. As part of an ongoing expansion, Popeyes at Braehead Shopping Centre will become the brand’s 65th restaurant in the UK and its fourth in Scotland. The addition of Popeyes highlights Braehead Shopping Centre’s aim to enhance its portfolio and attract a diverse customer base, including a younger demographic. Rob Jewell, managing director at scheme asset manager Pradera Lateral, said: “We continually seek to offer customers the best dining and retail experiences, and Popeyes’ unique range will undoubtedly be a popular addition to our already extensive range. With Braehead being the first Scottish shopping centre to house this iconic brand, it will provide visitors with an opportunity to try a new and highly anticipated eatery, ultimately enhancing their overall experience at the centre.”

Victoria Leeds welcomes local restaurant operator for new concept

2nd December 2024

Victoria Leeds is set to welcome Indian restaurant operator Tharadavu for its new concept, UYARE. The Leeds-based, award-winning operator is set to open its new venue in January, taking 7,000 sq ft within Victoria Gate. With space for between 150 and 180 guests, UYARE will feature distinct areas such as ‘Bhoomi – The Earth Restaurant’ and ‘Agni – The Fire Bar’. The menu will look to offer an array of traditional Kerala dishes whilst the bar will include a selection of wines, champagnes, cocktails, and local craft beers. Rachel Bradburn, leasing director at Victoria Leeds, said: “To welcome such a popular and successful local operator to Victoria Leeds, and support their wider regional growth, is a really exciting prospect. Independent, regional brands continue to play a key role in our tenant mix and we are pleased to welcome Tharavadu’s newest concept to our established food and drink line-up, providing yet another quality option for our customers.” Prakash Mendonca, director at Tharavadu, added: “As Leeds is our hometown, we are deeply committed to staying local, and it’s a privilege to be part of this vibrant community. Opening UYARE at Victoria Gate is a significant milestone for us—a chance to celebrate our […]

Glasgow’s Princes Square welcomes three new tenants

29th November 2024

LCP, part of property and investment collective M Core, has announced the signing of three new tenants at Princes Square in Glasgow. Leading the signings is restaurant, bar, and lifestyle shop Zibibbo, which is set to open at the scheme this December. Taking 3,516 sq ft at Units 6-9, the space will feature a bar and mezzanine, with space to accommodate up to 120 guests. Joining Zibibbo is The Whisky Shop, which has signed a 10-year lease for its second store in Glasgow. The specialist whisky retailer will open soon at Unit 16, taking 753 sq ft. Also joining Princes Square is Launch Coffee, a local charity which provides a range of beverages and baked goods. Located at Units 10-11b, the charity has taken 2,341 sq ft of space on a 10-year lease. Since launching in 2018, the charity has provided 750,000 free meals to local children. Alex Williams, senior asset manager and head of Scotland at LCP, said: “Following the excitement of & Other Stories joining the scheme, we are thrilled to now be welcoming Zibibbo, The Whisky Shop and Launch Coffee to Princes Square. The offerings of the three new tenants align perfectly with the existing premium brands...

Missoma opens largest store to date on Carnaby Street

29th November 2024

Demi-fine jewellery brand Missoma has opened its largest store to date on Carnaby Street in London’s West End. Taking a 1,000 sq ft space at 56B Carnaby Street, the brand has opened adjacent to PANGAIA, the material sciences company which launched in the summer. The split-level store delivers the brand’s collections of recycled gold and silver products, including collaborations with brands such as Lucy Williams, Harris Reed, and Savi. It also offers piercing and welding studios designed for customers to shop, explore, and grow their collections. Missoma joins a number of other contemporary jewellery brands nearby, such as Metal Morphosis, House of Astrid & Miyu, and TwoJeys. William Oliver, retail leasing director at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Missoma is a retailer that understands the importance of a physical store experience, which mirrors our approach when it comes to Carnaby Street. We’ve played a significant part in Missoma’s bricks-and-mortar journey, supporting its growth from online to physical retail. Through our collaborative approach to tenant relationships, we are making sure to hit the right notes across every sector and continue to build an unmatched retail offer in the West End.” This news follows the opening of Astrid & Miyu’s new flagship ‘House Of […]

Nespresso brews up Covent Garden opening

28th November 2024

Coffee brand Nespresso is set to open a new boutique store within Shaftesbury Capital’s Covent Garden estate. Located at 34 Henrietta Street on the corner of Covent Garden’s Piazza, the opening of the 1,345 sq ft space next spring will follow the closure of Nespresso’s Regent Street store at the end of 2024. The new location will allow customers to discover a variety of Nespresso tastes and flavours, and browse the brand’s latest selection of products, including capsules, machines, and accessories. The boutique will also feature a dedicated space to highlight the brand’s sustainability progress, as well as a place for customers to drop their used capsules for recycling. Nespresso joins a number of global brands that have chosen Covent Garden to open anchor locations, such as tech giant Apple, beauty brand Glossier, and activewear brand Alo Yoga, which is opening a 5,000 sq ft store at 25a Neal Street. William Oliver, retail leasing director at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “As the UK’s leading destination for flagship locations from world-class brands, Nespresso’s commitment to open a new anchor store in Covent Garden is an ideal fit. Nespresso will add to the Piazza and wider neighbourhood’s already extensive backdrop of innovative lifestyle...