Retail Property Deals

Sephora makes regional debut at Birmingham’s Bullring & Grand Central

14th November 2024

Sephora has opened its sixth store in the UK and its first in the West Midlands at Hammerson’s Bullring & Grand Central in Birmingham. The 4,925 sq ft store – which welcomes over 2,000 customers on the opening weekend – offers a range of products across across makeup, travel, fragrance, skincare, haircare, grooming, and wellness. The cosmetics retailer made its bricks-and-mortar debut in March 2023 at Westfield London, and has since opened stores at Westfield Stratford, Manchester’s Trafford Centre, Eldon Square in Newcastle, and Metrocentre in Gateshead. Sephora is also set to open stores at Kent’s Bluewater later in November and in Liverpool in spring 2025. Katy Letch, head of leasing UK at Hammerson, said: “As our customers’ most requested brand, Sephora’s launch at Bullring & Grand Central creates even more reasons to visit the destination, amplified further by a range of popular names in beauty exclusive to the Bullring store. It is this constant engagement with our visitors, paired with the creative repositioning of our offer, that maintains demand from both customers and leading brands alike.” Cushman & Wakefield acted for Bullring & Grand Central.

JD Sports to open at Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre

14th November 2024

Evolve Estates, part of commercial property and investment group M Core, is set to welcome a new JD Sports store to its Grosvenor Centre in Northampton next year. The sportswear retailer has signed a 10-year lease for a 14,000 sq ft unit, occupying the former Next store at 29-35 Newland Walk. The signing of JD Sports at the Grosvenor Centre follows the recent news that brands such as H&M, Nipa’s Hair & Beauty, and Bewiched will also be joining the scheme. Additionally, HMV has renewed its lease at the centre for another three years. Philip M Murphy, head of property and transactions at Evolve Estates, said: “Leveraging our strong relationships with high street retailers, we have secured JD Sports’ continued presence in Northampton; a huge win for the town and Grosvenor Centre. JD Sports is committing to a large format store at 14,000 sq ft, which flies in the face of perceived high street retail sentiment.” FMX Urban Property Advisers acted for the Grosvenor Centre.

Roxy Leisure to open debut London venue

14th November 2024

Competitive socialising concept Roxy Leisure is set to open its first venue in London at St Mary Axe in the City. Roxy Ball Room London, which will be located opposite the Gherkin, will feature activities such as tech darts, basketball, beer pong, duck pin bowling, ping pong, shooting pods, pool, tech shuffle, karaoke, ice-free curling, and crazy pool. The strictly over-18 venue is set to open in spring 2025. Founded in Leeds in 2013, the group now operates 11 Roxy Ball Room and eight Roxy Lanes sites across its estate. In 2024, the group has opened venues in York and Nottingham whilst last year it launched sites in Birmingham, Leicester, Cardiff, Cheltenham, and Liverpool. Joel Mitchell, marketing director at Roxy Leisure, said: “We’re made up to announce we will be bringing our signature ‘booze & ball games’ concept to the capital for the first-time next year after spending the last decade cementing our name across the hospitality scene in the north. We understand that opening a venue in the capital is a whole new ball game which is why we’ve spent a great deal of time researching and sourcing the right site for the Roxy Ball Room brand.” In August, Roxy Leisure Holdings announced a name change to Professionals at […]

Victoria Leeds bags Cambridge Satchel for city debut

14th November 2024

Victoria Leeds is set to welcome leather bag retailer Cambridge Satchel, which will make its city debut at the scheme this December. The store will be located at 3-5 County Arcade, Victoria Quarter, joining the brand’s existing stores in Covent Garden and Cambridge. Cambridge Satchel at Victoria Leeds will stock a range of women’s and men’s collections, including crossbody bags, satchels, handbags, tote bags, backpacks, briefcases, and trunks. The brand will also offer in-store personalisation services for customers. The brand will join Victoria Quarter’s existing portfolio of British brands, which includes retailers such as Vivienne Westwood, Barbour, Harvey Nichols, and Penhailgon’s. Rachel Bradburn, leasing director at Victoria Leeds, said: “Cambridge Satchel is well known for its quality, craftsmanship and clear identity but it is also a brand with real zest, a sense of fun and self-expression; a brand which is simultaneously evolving whilst embracing tradition, all qualities which reflect Victoria Quarter and Cambridge Satchel’s new home! We’re counting down the weeks until December when the store opens and our loyal visitors can enjoy this iconic brand.” This signing follows the news that British jeweller Boodles has recommitted to Victoria Leeds by investing in a new entertainment room, known as The Rose […]

Wimpy signs for central Brighton unit

13th November 2024

Wimpy has secured a two-storey unit within Brighton city centre for a new restaurant. The restaurant chain will occupy 2,285 sq ft over the ground and basement floors at 34 West Street, and is anticipating an opening in time for the New Year. Flude Property Consultants, which completed the letting on behalf of the landlord, said the property had attracted multiple offers following a brief period of marketing. Will Thomas, director at Flude Property Consultants, said: “West Street is not only one of the main gateways to the beach from Brighton’s town centre, but it is also at the heart of the city’s vibrant nightlife scene. Given its prominent location, we anticipated strong interest, particularly from food-led operators. This result reflects the growing activity in this sector and is a testament to the strength of the local retail market.”

YoYo Noodle and German Doner Kebab openings lead flurry of F&B activity at Metrocentre

13th November 2024

YoYo Noodle and German Doner Kebab (GDK) have now opened at Metrocentre in Gateshead, as the scheme announces a number of developments within its food and beverage offering. Fast-casual restaurant chain YoYo Noodle has opened a 2,786 sq ft space in the scheme’s Upper Blue Mall, whilst GDK, known for its signature gourmet kebabs, recently joined Metrocentre’s Lower Yellow Mall. The new openings, along with other signings, expansions, and refits, have contributed to 25,000 sq ft of changes within the F&B offering at Metrocentre. These include the fitting out of a new restaurant for Tomohawk Steakhouse on the Upper Yellow Mall, with the restaurant set to open before the end of the year. Meanwhile, ASK Italian, Nando’s, and Wagamama have invested into significant refurbishments at their existing restaurants in Metrocentre’s Qube. ASK Italian and Nando’s have completed full refits, whilst Wagamama has finished a refurbishment of its 6,000 sq ft restaurant. Finally, Greggs is fitting out its new large store format in Metrocentre’s Upper Town Square, which is due to open in December. Noah Knapton, asset manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset manager of Metrocentre, said: “Quality F&B is critical for the shopping centre of the future, appealing to different visit intentions,...

Technology retailer makes UK debut at Southampton’s Westquay

13th November 2024

Technology retailer Garmin has opened its first store in the UK at Hammerson’s Westquay shopping centre in Southampton. The retailer – which specialises in smartwatch and GPS technology – has taken a 2,625 sq ft unit, offering its full range of products in a physical environment for the first time. Garmin joins a mixture of global, national, and specialist stores alongside a range of leisure and eating out options at Westquay. Toby Tait, director of asset management at Hammerson, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Garmin on its maiden UK store, providing a space for it to bring its full collection of devices into one compelling brand experience for customers. We were quick to understand Garmin’s critical requirement for the right space in the right location to showcase the brand. Garmin boosts an already thriving Southampton destination, with Westquay now fully established as a destination for brands, events and experiences to serve the city and wider region.” Jon Oliver, managing director at Garmin UK & Ireland, added: “Westquay is a perfect location for us to open our first store. Not only it is down the road from our European headquarters, being so close to the South Coast and New Forest mean […]

Supermarket retailer takes former Brighton Boots

12th November 2024

A high street property in Brighton previously occupied by Boots has been let to a local supermarket operator. The site at 17-19 St James’s Street was home to Boots for over 100 years. The 4,447 sq ft property received offers from multiple well-established brands, said Flude Property Consultants, which acted for the vendor. Flude said its client opted to proceed with a local retailer due to the simplicity of the deal and a desire to avoid subletting the space. Will Thomas, director at Flude, said, “While the retail market saw a slowdown during the summer months, we’ve noticed a marked recovery recently, with units across Brighton quickly going under offer. Our client was pleased with the outcome, as it provided a straightforward solution without the need for further complication.” The property was marketed at a guide rent of £75,000 per annum.

Bistro restaurant concept makes debut on Chelsea’s King’s Road

12th November 2024

Bistro restaurant concept Fantômas has opened its debut site at 300 King’s Road in Chelsea. Headed up by chef Chris Denney, formerly of 108 Garage, the concept has opened a 2,000 sq ft open kitchen restaurant with space for 80 diners. The venue also features a private dining space for up to 18 people, complemented by an adjacent courtyard. The menu at Fantômas offers dishes such as castelfranco salad, pumpkin and almond agnolotti, and crispy veal sweetbreads, as well as desserts such as fig savarin and chantilly cream, and blue brain cheese and piccalilli. Fantômas joins a number of other food and beverage operators on the King’s Road, including Alley Cats, which has recently opened its second site in London at 342 King’s Road, alongside Bluebird and Beaufort House, with Pizza Pilgrims also due to arrive later this year. Hannah Grievson, property director at Sloane Stanley, said: “Over the last year, we have laid the groundwork to position our estate as a leading location for some of the best culinary concepts in London, delivering flavours and brands that simply can’t be found anywhere else. Chris Denney’s experience alongside [founders] George Bukhov-Weinstein’s and Ilya Demichev’s expertise is the perfect duo for […]

Angel Central completes ground floor leasing with Therapie Clinic signing

12th November 2024

The ground floor of Angel Central in Islington is now fully let, following CBRE Investment Management’s signing of Therapie Clinic. The aesthetic medical centre will open a 2,172 sq ft facility later this year, adjacent to Rituals and the recently refurbished Accessorize store. The facility will offer services such as laser hair removal, body sculpting and tonal treatments, cosmetic injections, and skin treatments. Joining anchor stores Uniqlo and H&M, Therapie’s signing marks a milestone for Angel Central as it reaches full occupation of its ground floor, following the arrival of retailers such as Mango, KIKO Milano, and Oliver Bonas earlier this year. The recent openings have translated into improved performance across the centre, with Angel Central seeing a 34.8% uplift in sales throughout the third quarter of this year, and an 11.4% increase in like-for-like sales. Footfall during this period has also increased, up by 2.6% and 3.7% compared to Q3 2023 and Q3 2019 respectively, with year-to-date sales currently up by 25.8% and 8.1% on a like-for-like basis. Ciara Daffy, asset manager at CBRE Investment Management, said: “There have been several leading brands arrive at Angel Central in the last twelve months, and it’s fantastic to round off our...

Evolve Estates completes flurry of deals at Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre

8th November 2024

Evolve Estates has announced a flurry of leasing activity at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre in Northampton, with four new signings and three lease renewals. Food and beverage operator Smoothies To Go has signed a seven-year lease on an 850 sq ft unit which is due to open later in November, whilst barbers Harun has already opened the doors to its 1,991 sq ft space. Also joining the scheme is The Leather Conservation, which opened a 10,550 sq ft unit on the third floor of the scheme, as well as gadget and gift MENKIND, which opened its 1,711 sq ft store in October after signing an 18-month lease. Evolve Estates has also secured three lease renewals with existing tenants, with Charlie Brown, Cards Direct, and Claire’s all recommitting to the scheme. The new signings follow the news that JD Sports will join the Northampton scheme in 2025, opening a 14,000 sq ft. Daniel Davies, senior asset manager at Evolve Estates, said: “We are delighted to welcome so many new retailers to the Grosvenor Centre as well securing lease renewals with some of the centre’s tenants. The further diversification of the retail offering adds to the appeal of the centre as a […]

Theatre operator takes chunk of former Debenhams at Westfield London

8th November 2024

Capital Theatre has signed a 10-year lease with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) for a new permanent 36,000 sq ft venue at Westfield London. The theatre operator will occupy the ground floor of the former Debenhams department store, with the new venue set to launch in October 2025. The new venue will launch with Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, following the success of Dirty Dancing as the fastest-selling show in West End theatre history. The 620-seat venue is to be operated by Kindred Partners in partnership with award-winning producer Karl Sydow. Designed and built by the design team responsible for venues including The Bridge Theatre and The Young Vic, Capital Theatre at Westfield London will feature new backstage facilities, rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, and creative and technical spaces. Food and drink will also be available throughout the day at the foyer café, whilst an onsite box office and merchandise store will be open seven days a week. Capital Theatre at Westfield London will join a number of existing leisure and entertainment options at Westfield London, including Exhibition London – a 17,000 sq. ft music and events venue— as well as mini-golf, climbing, and bowling experiences such as Sixes, Puttshack, City Bouldering, and All Star Lanes....