Retail Property Deals

Travel brand to make northern England debut at Victoria Leeds

21st February 2025

Travel and lifestyle brand TUMI is set to open its first store in the north of England at Victoria Leeds. Located within Victoria Quarter, the 517 sq ft store will open this June and offer a range of luggage, backpacks, business, and travel products. Rachel Bradburn, leasing director at Victoria Leeds, said: “TUMI joining Victoria Leeds is a huge testament in our ability to entice brands out of the capital and launch exciting regional firsts. It’s another great step in reaffirming Victoria Leeds as the go-to premier destination for luxury brands and we can’t wait for our customers to see the store come to life when the doors open.” Deepak Patel, brand manager at TUMI, added: “Victoria Leeds’ sophisticated retail landscape perfectly complements our craftmanship and innovation. With a highly engaged customer base, we’re confident that TUMI will resonate with the distinctive style and energy of Leeds.” The signing of TUMI marks the second north of England debut at Victoria Leeds in 2025, with Australian skincare brand Aesop recently opening its flagship store at the scheme. Lunson Mitchenall and Central Retail acted for Victoria Leeds. Row Advisory represented TUMI.

Dolce&Gabbana opens first-of-its-kind store at Covent Garden

18th February 2025

Dolce&Gabbana has opened a combined beauty and accessories store, a first for the brand, at the Historic Market building in Covent Garden. This marks a return to the iconic London neighbourhood for the luxury and lifestyle brand, which opened a Christmas pop-up on the Piazza in 2022. The new store features Dolce&Gabbana’s cosmetic and fragrance ranges, alongside accessories including eyewear, under one roof for the first time. Dolce&Gabbana at Covent Garden sits opposite the junction of James Street, alongside other beauty and fragrance brands including CHANEL Beauty, Diptyque, Glossier, Guerlain, Miller Harris, Penhaligon’s, Tom Ford Beauty, and the recently opened Charlotte Tilbury. William Oliver, retail leasing director at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Dolce&Gabbana’s commitment to blending tradition with innovation is what makes Covent Garden the perfect location to debut a world-first concept, following in the footsteps of Chanel, Charlotte Tilbury, Glossier, and Tom Ford. Building on the noteworthy success of its pop-up in 2022, the brand has reinvested in the destination, showcasing Covent Garden’s appeal for internationally renowned fashion houses to put down permanent roots.” This follows the recent opening of Alo Yoga at the junction of Neal Street and Earlham Street, after a milestone year of brand commitments at Covent...

ProCook to open at Centre:mk

18th February 2025

ProCook is set to open a new store at Milton Keynes’ Centre:mk shopping centre later this month. The kitchenware brand’s 2,760 sq ft store at Silbury Arcade will open on Friday 21st February and offer a range of essentials, electricals, tableware, and gadgets. Customers will be able to explore the store’s interactive displays, test products prior to purchasing, and customise their own cookware and tableware sets. Kevin Duffy, Centre:mk’s centre director, said: “With one of the strongest anchor brand line-ups in the UK, Centre:mk continues to outperform benchmarks for footfall and sales. As the latest brand to open at the centre, ProCook benefits from the exceptional trading opportunities here at Centre:mk and we are pleased to welcome them to Silbury Arcade.” Andy Kerr, ProCook retail director, added: “We’re delighted to announce the opening of our new ProCook in Centre:mk, a fantastic retail destination with a strong regional pull. This new location allows us to bring our high-quality cookware and kitchenware essentials to even more customers, offering an engaging in-store experience where shoppers can explore our products firsthand. We look forward to welcoming the community from across the region, and sharing our passion for cooking with them.”

Savills advises British Heart Foundation on flurry of retail park signings

18th February 2025

Savills has advised the British Heart Foundation on the acquisition of new retail park leases, including at former Wilko units, across the north of the UK. As it looks to expand its presence in retail parks across the country, the charity has agreed leases ranging between five and 10 years at: Jonathan Netley, retail director at Savills Manchester, said: “These latest store acquisitions from British Heart Foundation reflect their growing appetite to increase their retail offer in out of town locations, having already built up an established presence on the high street. Offering a wide range of clothing, homeware goods and furniture, their offer is perfectly suited to complement the existing retailers on these parks.  “We are looking forward to continuing to support British Heart Foundation with their expansion process across the north of the UK.”

Nomination opens first Scottish concept store at Braehead

14th February 2025

Nomination has opened its first concept store in Scotland at SGS Group’s Braehead Shopping Centre in Glasgow. The store – which is operated by jewellery retailer Argento – is located on the scheme’s upper level and looks to provide an immersive shopping experience that showcases the Italian brand’s collections. Nomination joins a line-up of jewellery retailers at the centre, including Beaverbrooks, Goldsmiths, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, and Pandora. Rob Jewell, managing director of asset management at Pradera Lateral, said: “The arrival of Nomination’s first concept store is a great addition to our retail mix, reinforcing Braehead’s position a premium retail and leisure destination in Scotland. This exclusive location is testament to Braehead’s appeal, offering a curated retail experience that sets it apart from other shopping centres. Nomination will further add to the centre’s diverse jewellery offering, bringing stylish, high-quality collections to the centre, and ensuring that visitors continue to enjoy an exceptional shopping experience unlike anywhere else.”

Hammerson scores Aston Villa signing at Bullring

14th February 2025

Aston Villa Football Club is set to open a new retail experience at Hammerson’s Bullring in Birmingham. The Premier League team will open a 10,000 sq ft, two-storey store on the scheme’s Lower Level East in May. The store will offer Aston Villa products such as kits, training wear, and limited-edition collections, as well as Adidas merchandise including footwear and clothing. In line with the historic club’s heritage, the Bullring store will also feature elements from the club’s 150th anniversary and the iconic Villa Park stadium, as well as a museum area to highlight the club’s place in Birmingham and football history. Paul O’Brien, director of leasing and commercialisation at Hammerson, said: “Aston Villa’s new store coming to Bullring is a great example of Hammerson’s occupier mix strategy, delivering best-in-class spaces that are exciting and unique in equal measure. The one-of-a-kind retail experience from this historic football club points to the quality we are successfully driving across our portfolio, and aligns with our commitment to keep Bullring’s visitors engaged and coming back.” Chris Heck, president of business operations at Aston Villa FC, added: “Bullring is, without a doubt, the best possible location to launch this flagship Aston Villa store. As...

Søstrene Grene to open fifth London store at Oxford Circus

14th February 2025

Søstrene Grene is set to open its fifth store in London on Argyll Street, just off of Oxford Circus. Spanning 4,746 sq ft, the two-storey flagship store will stock the Danish homeware brand’s range of furniture, crafts, stationery, kitchenware, and children’s toys. The store will also feature an interactive customer experience room, as well as a room which focuses on the senses, a first for the brand. Søstrene Grene at Argyll Street will join four other locations in the capital, including at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, and Tottenham Court Road. The retailer will also be opening a store at Canary Wharf this summer, bringing its total number of London outlets to six. The opening forms part of the brand’s plans to open 100 stores in the UK by 2030. Søstrene Grene currently operates over 45 locations across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and over 300 across international markets. Mikkel Grene, chief executive and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of a brand-new flagship store in the UK. It has been a dream for both me and my family to have a central London store just off Oxford Circus and it’s an incredible milestone […]

Urban Revivo signs for second flagship UK store

13th February 2025

Urban Revivo is set to open its second flagship store in the UK at Westfield Stratford City in London. The fashion retailer will occupy a 30,000 sq ft, double height unit on the first floor, with neighbouring retailers including Zara, UNIQLO, Mango, and H&M. Founded in 2006, Urban Revivo now has a global portfolio of over 400 stores, and recently signed for 8-12 Neal Street in Covent Garden. Sam Foyle, co-head of global retail at Savills, said: “Today’s deal marks a significant milestone for Urban Revivo, as we accelerate the brands’ ambitious European expansion plans in 2025. Building on its phenomenal success in the APAC region, we’re excited for Urban Revivo to spearhead the next generation of fashion innovation in the UK.” Constantin Wiesmann, leasing director UK at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), added: “Westfield Stratford City continues to be a destination for leading global brands to establish and grow their flagship presence in the UK. The signing of Urban Revivo reflects our ongoing strategy to attract emerging and cult-favourite brands, providing unique opportunities for our tenants and an enhanced shopping experience for our visitors.” Savills advised Urban Revivo, whilst URW was advised by Cushman & Wakefield.

Breitling makes city debut at Liverpool ONE

13th February 2025

Breitling has opened on Paradise Street in Liverpool ONE shopping centre, with the luxury Swiss watchmaker making its city debut. The new 3,200 sq ft, double-height unit showcases the brand’s selection of timepieces and includes features such as a Triumph motorcycle and fully-stocked bar. Breitling joins other luxury jewellery retailers at Liverpool ONE including Goldsmiths, David M Robinson, and Swarovski. Rob Deacon, director of asset management at Liverpool ONE, said: “The city debut of Breitling’s new showcase space is a standout addition to Liverpool ONE, adding even more gravitas to our leading line-up and customer offering. To have established Liverpool ONE as a UK hotspot for world-renowned brands, such as Breitling, is no small feat and paves the way for an exciting 2025.” The arrival of Breitling follows Liverpool ONE’s busiest Christmas and start to the year since 2019, with footfall and sales up 10% and 7% year-on-year, respectively. Metis and CBRE acted for Liverpool ONE. Newmark acted for Breitling.

Stradivarius signs for regional debut at Gateshead’s Metrocentre

13th February 2025

Stradivarius is set to open its first store in the North East of England at Metrocentre in Gateshead. The fashion retailer has agreed to take a 10,000 sq ft unit on the scheme’s lower Red Mall, in close proximity to fellow Inditex brand Zara. The brand’s new flagship location will join the Red Mall’s existing line-up of fashion retailers including Reiss, Mango, and the newly-refurbished River Island. Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, asset manager of Metrocentre, said: “Stradivarius signing for this regional debut is a huge statement for Metrocentre, confirming its appeal as the premier retail destination in the North East. Inditex’s decision to bring another of its leading brands to Red Mall showcases our ability to deliver the best in fashion experiences to our growing and increasingly loyal customer base.” This latest signing follows the news that Metrocentre is celebrating a strong start to 2025, following a record-breaking 2024 for both sales and footfall during which it welcomed 15.8 million visitors. Nearly 300,000 sq ft of deals were completed in the last 12 months, driving a 9.2% year-on-year footfall uplift so far this year.

Get Living welcomes first brands to Birmingham neighbourhood

12th February 2025

Residential build-to-rent operator Get Living has signed its first commercial tenants at its Sherlock Quarter neighbourhood in Birmingham. Budgens and Japanese restaurant concept Zoku have both agreed deals to join the neighbourhood, which is Get Living’s first in Birmingham. The Budgens store – which is part of the Booker Group – will be locally owned and ran by a local operator. It will sell fresh produce, packaged food, and other household essentials. Meanwhile Zoku will be taking around 2,000 sq ft for its new restaurant, which will open in the spring. The venue will offer East Asian classics including ramen, sushi, and dumplings. The brand is owned by MAAK Capital, which also runs a Chinese restaurant in Birmingham, The Palace Hotpot. Located in the heart of the city, Sherlock Quarter is a short walk from the Bullring shopping centre and has delivered 551 new homes for rent. The neighbourhood’s amenity offer includes a double height sky lounge for socialising and working, as well as a resident gym and yoga studio. The ground floor offers 16,500 sq ft of retail, F&B and leisure space, of which over half is in advanced negotiations. Creative Retail lead the commercial leasing at Sherlock Quarter. Richard Allen, […]

Flight Club lands at Newcastle’s Eldon Square

11th February 2025

Social darts experience Flight Club is set open its 15th site in the UK at Eldon Square in Newcastle. Opening later this year, Flight Club’s 10,000 sq ft space in Grey’s Quarter – with entrances within both Eldon Square and Nelson Street – will become the operator’s first venue in the North East. Since launching its first site in Shoreditch in 2015, Flight Club has since grown to open in locations across the UK, Ireland, the USA, and Australia. As well as competitive darts, the concept also offers a range of food and drink options, including pizzas, burgers, and sharing dishes. Kitty Vaughan, head of UK leisure and F&B at Pradera Lateral, Eldon Square’s asset manager, said: “Welcoming Flight Club to Eldon Square will strengthen our dynamic mix of leisure options, further enhancing our reputation as the premier shopping and entertainment hub in Newcastle. Our entertainment offering is crucial to attracting visitors to Eldon Square and the addition of such a renowned, experience-led brand will ensure we continue to attract diverse audiences to the centre.” Steve Moore, CEO and founder of Flight Club, added: “Bringing Flight Club to Newcastle has been a long-term ambition for us. It’s a city that’s notorious...