Retail Property News

Chopstix continues expansion with Junction 32 opening

31st October 2025

Chopstix has continued its expansion into UK shopping centres with the opening of a new restaurant at Junction 32 in Castleford, Yorkshire. The quick-service restaurant brand’s new location at the outlet shopping centre follows recent openings at Sheffield’s Meadowhall Shopping Centre and in McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in York last month. Now with over 150 locations across the UK, Chopstix has seen rapid growth following investment from European quick service restaurant operator QSRP last October. Menashe Sadik, Chopstix co-founder and director, said: “We’re thrilled to announce the opening of our new store at Junction 32 in Castleford continuing our expansion across the UK into these high footfall areas that we know work so well for the brand.  “It’s great to be able to welcome a fantastic new team to the Chopstix family, and bring our big, bold Chinese flavours to a brand-new area.”

Revo announces pair of new board appointments

30th October 2025

Revo, the forum for UK retail-led mixed-use real estate, has announced two new appointments to its board. Toby Ogilvie Smals, director of retail investments at Savills, and Nick Thornton, founder of Aver PR, have joined Revo’s executive board as directors. In his role at Savills, Ogivile Smals leads the acquisition and disposal of retail assets on behalf of a client base that includes institutions, private equity firms, property companies, and asset managers. He has over two decades of sector expertise, having joined Savills as a graduate in 2005. In his role as founder of Aver, Thornton utilises his 30 years’ experience in the property sector to provide a range of clients in the build environment with strategic communication advice. Aver works with some of the industry’s biggest owners, asset managers, investors and advisors on some of its best known assets. Toby Ogilvie Smals said: “I’m delighted to be joining Revo at a time when the retail and leisure built environment is evolving rapidly in response to shifting consumer behaviours, capital flows, and placemaking priorities. I’m looking forward to supporting Revo’s mission by strengthening industry engagement, driving membership growth, and helping shape a commercially and socially resilient future for our urban spaces.” Nick Thornton added: “It is a privilege to be...

Affinity brings Castore to all four of its outlet shopping centres

30th October 2025

Affinity, the portfolio of four UK outlet shopping centres, has welcomed sportswear brand Castore to all of its schemes. The brand has already opened at Affinity Lancashire, Affinity Staffordshire, and Affinity Sterling Mills, with its newest store set to open at Affinity Devon in November. The new 2,313 sq ft store, located between Weird Wish and The Works, will offer a range of both men and women’s sportswear, including merchandise from sports including football, Formula 1, cricket, and golf. James Kevill, asset manager at Global Mutual, said: “It has been a great year for Affinity, and Castore’s arrival across all four of our centres is a clear vote of confidence in the portfolio. This expansion underlines both our strong relationship with leading brands and our ongoing commitment to providing the best shopping experience for our customers.” 

The White Company to open second Essex store at Lakeside

30th October 2025

The White Company is set to open its second store in Essex at Lakeside Shopping Centre in West Thurrock. Opening in spring 2026, the 5,000 sq ft store will offer products across clothing, home, fragrance, bedding, and the Little White Company children’s range. The store will be one of four new openings in spring for the brand across the UK. The White Company joins a number of premium brands at Lakeside, including H Beauty, Reiss, Charles Tyrwhitt, and Chisholm Hunter. Max Collett, associate director of asset management at Pradera Lateral, said: “As a brand that epitomises timeless luxury, and comfort, we identified The White Company as the perfect fit for Lakeside. We’re laser-focused when it comes to creating a dynamic retail mix, with the addition of premium brands such as The White Company forming a key foundation in our leasing strategy. We have no doubt the brand will enjoy great success at the centre.”  Beth O’Regan, head of property at The White Company, added: “Lakeside’s diverse retail, F&B and leisure offering, coupled with its ambitious strategy were a key factor in our decision to bring The White Company to the centre – it is the perfect home for the brand and its customer base. We greatly look forward to welcoming the people of Essex and beyond to the new store.” Lakeside, owned by […]

Embattled retailer Bodycare to open up to 50 stores following acquisition

29th October 2025

Embattled beauty retailer Bodycare is set to open between 30 and 50 new stores in 2026 after its brand and intellectual property were acquired by the former chief executive of The Body Shop. Bodycare had fallen into administration last month and was forced to close all of its remaining stores. Now, new owner Charles Denton is planning a first wave of re-openings in early 2026 as part of a revival. These new openings – which will be mainly in the north west of England – will be subject to landlord approval. Charles Denton said: “Bodycare is much-loved and trusted – it matters deeply to the communities it serves. We now have the mandate to bring stores and jobs back by transforming Bodycare’s rich legacy into a modern, scalable and profitable business.” Nick Holloway, managing sirector at Interpath and joint administrator, added: ‘We are pleased to hand Bodycare to an experienced new owner with a clear plan to restart operations. We wish the business every success in the future.”

Investment group acquires Weird Fish

29th October 2025

Clothing retailer Weird Fish has been acquired by Auralis, a new investment group founded by Total Capital Markets. The deal is believed to value the retailer at £35m, The Times has reported. Total Capital Markets previously took a 69% stake of Weird Fish from its former owner Piper Private Equity in 2017. Through Auralis, the group has now increased its share to 80%. David Butler, CEO of Weird Fish, will lead Auralis. He said: “Weird Fish is now well positioned to continue to improve profitability and with this additional money, it will enable us to accelerate our growth plans.” Weird Fish has been on an accelerated growth trajectory over the past year, and now operates over 30 stores in the UK. In February, the retailer opened at Dalton Park Outlet in County Durham, before opening its largest UK outlet store at Affinity Devon in May.

Duke Street Property acquires Marylebone mixed-use block

29th October 2025

Duke Street Property has acquired a mixed-use block in Marylebone, London. Located less than five minutes from the Elizabeth Line, 110 Wigmore Street comprises 12,000 sq ft of retail, restaurant, and office accommodation. Duke Street Property said the acquisition provides future opportunities deliver high-quality design-led spaces and improve the building’s ESG credentials, and that it will help deliver its ambition to create, curate and sustain neighbourhoods for people and businesses shaped by modern values. CBRE advised Duke Street Property. Levy Real Estate advised the vendor.

Aberdeen Investments acquires mixed-use Old Bond Street property

29th October 2025

Aberdeen Investments, acting on behalf of the Standard Life Pooled Pension Property Fund, has acquired Standbrook House on London’s Old Bond Street. The mixed-use retail, office, and residential building incorporates two retail units let to high-end watchmaker Richard Mille and luxury leather and fashion goods brand, Tod’s. The above floors comprise four storeys of offices and two residential apartments. This marks the second significant investment of the year for the Standard Life Pooled Pension Property Fund, following the acquisition of Sears Retail Park in Solihull in May. David Stewart, fund manager at Aberdeen Investments, on behalf of the Standard Life Pooled Pension Property Fund, said: “This acquisition represents a strong addition to the fund’s portfolio, aligning with our strategy of investing in high-quality assets with long-term income and capital growth potential. It follows a series of disposals of industrial assets, which were sold at competitive pricing. We anticipate further acquisitions in London in the near future.”  JLL and CBRE acted for the vendor.

Merry Hill completes nearly 20,000 sq ft of new signings and reinvestments

28th October 2025

Merry Hill has announced nearly 20,000 sq ft of new signings and reinvestments at the West Midlands shopping centre. Leading the new signings is jewellery brand Lovisa, which has signed for a 750 sq ft space. The store is set to open before the festive period and will stock the brand’s full range of necklaces, earrings, and rings, while also offering piercing services. Lovisa will join Merry Hill’s line-up of jewellery and accessory retailers, which includes H.Samuel, Warren James, and the newly upsized 6,000 sq ft Goldsmiths showroom, which opened in September. Joining Lovisa is MINISO, which has signed for a 2,400 sq ft unit on Merry Hill’s Lower Mall for its debut store at the scheme. Alongside beauty, lifestyle, and pop-culture products, the store will offer MINISO’s range of plushies, toys, stationery, food, and home accessories. Also joining Merry Hill is Select Apple, an official Apple Premium Partner, which is set to open a 2,800 sq ft store in early November. In addition to the new signings, Flying Tiger has recently opened a 3,100 sq ft store on the Lower Mall, stocking Danish-designed home décor, stationery, party supplies, kitchen essentials, and children’s toys. Savers has also recently opened at […]

Former Westfield head of leasing returns to Bruce Gillingham Pollard

28th October 2025

Bruce Gillingham Pollard has appointed Millie Edwards as a director within its leasing team. She returns to the retail and leisure agency after working five years client-side, most recently as head of leasing for Westfield London at Unibail Rodamco Westfield, and before that as Hammerson’s senior leasing manager at Brent Cross. Edwards began her career as an associate director at Bruce Gillingham Pollard in 2015. Rupert Bentley Smith, equity director at Bruce Gillingham Pollard, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Millie back to the team. Her knowledge, experience and approach is rare within the market, and we are very pleased to be able to bring her back to play a key role leading and growing our leasing business.” Millie Edwards added: Bruce Gillingham Pollard delivers market-leading leasing strategies for high profile schemes across Central London and beyond. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to bring my insights and experience to current and future instructions across the business.” Her appointment comes as Bruce Gillingham Pollard announces a series of promotions within its team. Lucy Cope and Lucy Gardiner have both been promoted to director within the leasing team, while Alex Todd has been appointed as senior surveyor. In the tenant representation team,...

Sustainable fashion brand to open first store outside of London at Victoria Leeds

28th October 2025

Sustainable fashion brand OMNES is set to open a pop-up store at Redical’s Victoria Leeds, marking the retailer’s first space outside of London. Running from November until the end of July 2026, the 2,800 sq ft pop-up will showcase the brand’s full collection, including its autumn/winter range, party wear, and Studio OMNES – a new line of knitwear which launched earlier this year. The pop-up will also look to serve as a creative and community hub, with the brand planning a series of in-store experiences, styling sessions, and sustainability-focused workshops. Rachel Bradburn, head of leasing at Redical, said: “OMNES embodies the new generation of purpose-led retail – sustainable, design-driven and community-minded. Their decision to debut outside London with us at Victoria Leeds reinforces the destination’s appeal as a northern first for exciting, forward-thinking brands. Pop-ups are an important part of how we curate and evolve Victoria Leeds – they allow us to stay agile, test new ideas and bring fresh energy to the destination. OMNES is a brilliant example of how short-term retail can create long-term connection.” The news follows a string of signings at Victoria Leeds, including Dinny Hall and Wax London. Lunson Mitchenall and Central Retail act for […]

M Core acquires 65,000 sq ft Linconshire retail park

28th October 2025

Property investment collective M Core has acquired Boston Shopping Park in Lincolnshire. Located on Horncastle Road, just one mile from Boston town centre, the 65,000 sq ft scheme is home to retailers including TK Maxx, Sports Direct, Iceland, The Food Warehouse, Home Bargains, and Card Factory. The retail park also benefits from a 320-space car park and serves a catchment population of over 97,000 within a 20-minute drive time. James Buchanan, managing director at LCP, part of M Core, said: “This acquisition aligns with M Core’s strategic focus on securing well-located assets that offer long-term value and operational strength. Our investment approach continues to prioritise convenience, accessibility, and performance for both occupiers and customers.” Barry Flint, asset management director at LCP, added: “Boston Shopping Park is a high-quality addition to our managed portfolio. With its established tenant base, strong visibility, and favourable local demographics, we see clear potential to enhance the park’s performance and ensure it remains a relevant and valued destination for the community.” Maclaren & Partners and Watling Real Estate acted for M Core. Savills acted for the vendor.