Retail Property Deals

Footasylum goes up a size at Merry Hill

19th September 2024

Footwear retailer Footasylum is set to more than triple its presence at Merry Hill shopping centre in Dudley. The retailer – which has operated at Merry Hill for a number of years – will combine its existing 3,000 sq ft unit with an adjacent space to increase its footprint to a total of 10,000 sq ft. Footasylum’s new space will be designed to create a more modern and engaging shopping experience, enabling customers to benefit from faster checkout times through the introduction of a mobile payment system. The expanded store will also have an extended range of products, and will introduce Footasylum’s women’s range, which includes brands such as Nike, Adidas, Monterrain, Forena, and Zavetti Canada. Alistair Winning, asset manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, said: “Footasylum is the latest in a long line of top-quality brands that have invested in Merry Hill, and this upsize from a tenant that has been with us for many years shows just how profitable the centre is. They are in the heart of the scheme, with the likes of Nike Unite, Skechers, and Schuh nearby, and their combined success is vindication of our approach to clustering in this category. […]

Duo of retailers select Manchester Arndale for city debut

19th September 2024

Two retailers are set to make their Manchester debuts after agreeing deals to open at Manchester Arndale shopping centre. Korean beauty specialist PURESEOUL has signed a 10-year lease for a 1,662 sq ft space, whilst mattress company Emma Sleep will occupy a 1,789 sq ft space on a five-year lease. Launching as an online retailer in 2019, PURESEOUL has since opened stores in locations such as London and Oxford, and is opening its first store in Birmingham in September. The retailer’s Manchester Arndale store marks a debut in the North West for the brand. Also starting out as an online retailer, Emma Sleep opened its first physical store in Stratford, London to allow customers to book personal product consultations and explore its range of mattresses. The Manchester Arndale store will become the brand’s first outside of London. The new lettings follow a number of lease renewals and regears at the Manchester scheme, with brands including Costa Coffee, Ann Summers, New Look, Swarovski, and Kiko Milano all signing new lease agreements at Manchester Arndale. This latest run of leasing activity caps off a busy first half of the year for Manchester Arndale. The scheme welcomed the likes of Space NK, Kuoni,...

Dave’s Hot Chicken to make UK debut in the West End

18th September 2024

American quick-service restaurant brand Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to make its UK debut in London’s West End. The fried chicken chain will open at 40 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1, in the London Trocadero building. Founded in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken operates over 200 sites globally, and recently signed a franchise agreement with Azzurri to open 60 sites in the UK. The brand is backed by big celebrity names such as Drake, Samuel L Jackson, and Usher, and is one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the US and on social media. P-THREE acted for the landlord Criterion Capital on the deal. Thomas Rose, co-founder of P-THREE, said: “We are always looking for the next biggest trends and leasing a unit to Dave’s Hot Chicken in such a prime location for their first UK store is another great achievement across our London leasing portfolio this year”. Omar Aziz, director at Criterion Capital, added: “We are delighted to welcome this global brand to its first London flagship at our prime Trocadero site in Piccadilly Circus. As part of our prestigious West End portfolio, which boasts some of the highest footfall in Europe, we remain committed to driving long-term growth and supporting a […]

Cheesecake specialist takes slice of Soho for second London site

18th September 2024

Basque cheesecake specialist La Maritxu has signed for its second location in London at Kingly Street in Shaftesbury Capital’s Soho neighbourhood. The operator will open a 271 sq ft café at 10 Kingly Street, adjacent to the entrance of Soho’s Kingly Court food hub. Founded in 2021, La Maritxu specialises in Basque cheesecakes, originating from San Sebastian. The store will serve a menu which includes single slices as well as 8″ and 10″ cakes, as well as coffee. Customers will also be able to acquire brand merchandise, including aprons and utensils. La Maritxu is due to open in Soho later this month, joining a number of operators who have opened within the neighbourhood. This includes The Little Violet Door at 9 Kingly Street, an upsized Two Floors at 3-4 Kingly Street, The Counter at 15-16 Kingly Street, as well as Liu Xiaomian and a refurbished OKA in Kingly Court. Also joining the estate later this year is Donutelier on Carnaby Street which, like La Maritxu, will add a grab-and-go or stop-and-pause option at a gateway to Kingly Court. Last month, Goldies, the concept from the team behind local bistro Blanchette, also opened within Kingly Court, enhancing the destination’s position as […]

Retailers invest over £5m into Derbion as centre prepares for busy end to 2024

18th September 2024

A number of long-term retailers at Derbion have invested over £5m into the centre during the first half of 2024, as the Derby scheme gears up for a busy end to the year. Several retailers have invested in store upgrades, fitouts, upsizes, and relocations at the scheme, meaning that retailers have committed a total of £35.6m into Derbion since 2021. The latest £5.2m chunk of investment will see a number of retailers increase upsize at the centre. This includes JD Sports – which will be growing the size of its space to 20,175 sq ft – and Superdrug, which is set to increase the size of its space by 1,872 sq ft to 10,431 sq ft. Greggs has also increased its space to 2,015 sq ft to allow more customers to eat in. This year, Derbion has also secured new lease agreements with Ann Summers, New Look, The Perfume Shop, and Quiz, all of which have recommitted their futures to the centre. Ann Summers relocated to its new space in May, whilst the other three retailers are set to move to their new locations at Derbion over the next few months. In addition, Holland & Barratt, Deichmann, and Sharp’s will […]

Menswear brand Skopes to open largest store yet at Leeds White Rose

17th September 2024

Menswear brand Skopes is set to open its largest store yet at the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds. Opening later this month, the 3,800 sq ft store will become the brand’s 20th location in the UK and its launch will signify a homecoming for the brand, which was founded in Leeds in 1948. The store will offer a range of menswear, including suits, outerwear, shirts, footwear, and accessories in a variety of styles, fits, and colours. Skopes at White Rose will be the latest of its next-generation concept stores, which first opened at Westfield London in 2018. The retailer has since brought this concept to Meadowhall in Sheffield and Newcastle’s Metrocentre. Steven Foster, centre director at White Rose Shopping Centre, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Skopes to our line-up here at White Rose. Skopes has built a great reputation as a leading menswear retailer in the past ten years, and we’re thrilled to support a Leeds born-and-bred brand. The new store is set to open with a splash, and we know our guests will enjoy Skopes’ offering.” Simon Cope, CEO of Skopes, said: Simon said: “Leeds isn’t just where Skopes was founded; it’s in our blood. The city’s...

Sephora opens at Newcastle’s Eldon Square

16th September 2024

Beauty specialist Sephora has opened its fourth store in the UK at Eldon Square in Newcastle. The store spans 6,515 sq ft and offers a range of products across ranges including beauty, cosmetics, haircare, and skincare. The opening follows the brand’s launch at Manchester’s Trafford Centre earlier this year, with Sephora joining a number of other health and beauty retailers at Eldon Square including John Lewis & Partners, Fenwick, KIKO Milano, Molton Brown, Rituals, and Cover Beauty. Matthew Beddow, director of Eldon Square, said: “Adding Sephora to Eldon Square has been a huge move for us and we are proud to host the beauty retailer and to bring its plethora of brands to shoppers in Newcastle. “The footfall and huge interest in the opening are positive signs, and we are confident that Sephora will provide an additional boost to revenue, sales and visitor figures for the second half of 2024. “Eldon Square is already a shopping destination that is host to many top brands, and the new Sephora store is in good company alongside names such as John Lewis, Fenwick as well as some of our exciting recent openings with Miniso and Søstrene Grene.”

Three growing brands sign at Cribbs Mall

16th September 2024

Bristol’s Cribbs Mall has secured new lettings with three growing retailers, which are set to take a total of 2,340 sq ft of space between them. Sportswear manufacturer Castore, jeweller Austen & Blake, and make-up specialist KIKO Milano are set to take 573 sq ft, 967 sq ft, and 800 sq ft units respectively. Founded in 2015 in Manchester, Castore supplies a number of leading sports teams including the England Cricket Team and the Red Bull and McLaren Formula One teams. The brand is also the kit manufacturer for football teams including the Republic of Ireland, Rangers, Bayer Leverkusen, and Everton. Austen & Blake – also from Manchester – opened its first location in 2018 and now has over 15 jewellery stores across the UK. Offering a range of custom-made jewellery, it joins the likes of Beaverbrooks, Clogau, Ernest Jones, and Goldsmiths at Cribbs Mall. Finally, cosmetics specialist KIKO Milano is set to bring its range of professional make-up and skincare treatments, as the brand opens its first store in Bristol. Scott Linard, portfolio director at M&G Real Estate, said: “These new arrivals enhance Cribbs Mall’s reputation as a hub for leading fashion, beauty, and jewellery brands in the West Country […]

Return of Clarks leads trio of signings at The O2

16th September 2024

Clarks has made its return to The O2 after three years, leading a trio of signings at the venue’s outlet shopping destination. Opening at Outlet Shopping at The O2 The footwear brand has taken a 3,259 sq ft store on the outlet’s upper level, adjacent to Skechers and Lids. The new space stocks a range of the retailer’s casual and formal footwear and accessories, and offers personal shopping and fitting services. Also joining The O2 is fellow footwear retailer Soletrader, which has opened a 1,749 sq ft store on the upper level next to Procook and Carvela. Working with brands such as Dr. Martens, Veja, and Ugg, the store brings a range of contemporary casual, designer, performance-based, and heritage footwear to the destination. Rounding off the new openings is soft furnishings retailer Bedeck, which has taken a 1,637 sq ft unit close to Soletrader’s new store. The store looks to deliver an elevated homeware offer for The O2’s visitors, and marks a London outlet debut for the brand. Louisa Dalgleish, leasing director at Outlet Shopping at The O2, said: “Clarks have always been a favourite when it comes to footwear. Its unique, family-friendly approach to shopping is something we really […]

Staffordshire retail park changes hands for £10.25m

13th September 2024

Birmingham-based property company Hortons has completed the sale of an out-of-town retail asset in Staffordshire for £10.25m. The independent property company has sold Cannock Gateway Retail Park in Norton Canes to a private investor. The asset comprises almost 38,000 sq ft of retail and drive-through accommodation, and is supplemented by an electric vehicle charging station. The scheme is fully let to occupiers including Tk Maxx, Costa Coffee, Burger King, Sofology, Greggs, and MFG EV Power. Cannock Gateway Retail Park lies on a 4.4 acre site adjacent to the M6 Toll. The site was acquired by Hortons in 2013 with the retail park built two years later. Harry Young of Hortons, said: “Our development of Cannock Gateway Retail Park has delivered a high-quality retail and leisure experience that has greatly supported the local economy. Its disposal releases capital to re-deploy into some exciting projects within Hortons’ portfolio, as well as some potential acquisitions.” Hortons was represented by Atlas Real Estate, whilst Parker & Co acted for the purchaser.

Barbour makes city debut at Victoria Leeds

13th September 2024

Barbour has opened at Redical’s Victoria Leeds, marking a debut in the city for the British heritage and lifestyle brand. The 2,679 sq ft store at Victoria Quarter’s 9-11 King Street spans two floors, and is centred around the brand’s ‘New Heritage’ design concept. Stocking a range of mens and womenswear collections, the new store has a focus on more fashion forward heritage ranges and features a ‘Wax for Life’ restoration service. This enables customers to have their well-worn was jackets restored by craftspeople. Rachel Bradburn, leasing director at Victoria Leeds, said: “Barbour’s decision to open a store at Victoria Leeds, is testament to the strength and performance enjoyed at the destination. We are very proud to welcome the city’s only standalone Barbour store and its first new heritage concept outside of London. Barbour is a brand highly regarded for its quality and craftmanship, making it a perfect new addition to the historic Victoria Quarter and further enriching our line-up of premium retailers.” Joining Barbour’s store opening are two additional firsts at Victoria Leeds: Missoma recently launched its first store outside of London at Victoria Quarter, whilst Scottish men’s streetwear brand Bee Inspired’s opened a six-month pop-up in Victoria Gate, […]

LCPs Three Spires Lichfield welcomes trio of new outlets

13th September 2024

Property and investment company LCP, part of M Core, has announced that M Three Spires in Lichfield is welcoming three new outlets. Fried chicken brand Pepe’s Piri Piri has now opened in a 1,300 sq ft unit on Gresley Row, whilst cake maker Cake Box has arrived on the aptly-named Bakers Lane, trading from a 1,130 sq ft unit. The scheme is also set to welcome children’s soft play centre Grandkidz in November. The operator will open in a 2,800 sq ft space with a café and will look to provide a safe space for children to learn through play. M Three Spires – which is owned and managed by LCP – is home to over 50 retailers, including Holland & Barrett, Boots, and The Entertainer, alongside a number of independent businesses. LCP director, Barry Flint, said: “LCP acquired M Three Spires in 2022 and has already welcomed a range of new businesses to the shopping centre, from independent brands to larger, thriving businesses that are new to the area. “We are striving to provide a range of opportunities that encourage economic growth, whilst ensuring that our customers continue to enjoy an outstanding retail experience.”