Retail Property News

Australian womenswear retailer to make UK debut on Carnaby Street

20th February 2026

Australian womenswear retailer Kookaï is to make it’s UK debut, opening its first permanent location in the country on London’s Carnaby Street. Spanning 1,800 sq ft, Kookaï’s new space at 37 Carnaby Street will feature its latest store concept and offer a range of womenswear designed at the brand’s Melbourne studio. The opening will build on the brand’s success across Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, which has seen it grow to over 57 boutiques in recent years. Kookaï joins a number of contemporary fashion labels that have selected Soho as an entry point into the UK retail market over the past six months, including ALOHAS and Edikted. The signing also coincides with a period of significant investment across the destination, as retailers including Nobody’s Child, New Era, and IZIPIZI have refit their stores. William Oliver, director of retail and restaurant leasing at landlord Shaftesbury Capital, said: “This fresh version of Kookaï coming to Carnaby Street for a UK debut, closely following in Edikted’s footsteps, reinforces Soho’s position as the sought after launch destination for brands. Its vibrant mix and visitor audience draws in both emerging and established retailers, alongside the long-standing success that has become synonymous with the neighbourhood.” Bianca […]

The Cut & Craft beefs up presence at Victoria Leeds with restaurant expansion

20th February 2026

British steak restaurant The Cut & Craft is set to nearly double its existing presence at Victoria Leeds, expanding its current space to introduce a new bar and lounge area. The new bar area will serve cocktails, champagne, snacks and afternoon tea. It will be complete with a dedicated stage on the ground floor to cater to late-evening entertainment and live music. The Grade II-listed building’s ornate features will remain present within the existing restaurant, with the addition of two private dining rooms on the first floor, as well as the new bar area. The private dining rooms can operate independently or can be combined to create a larger space, capable of hosting up to 40 covers seated or over100 standing. The existing restaurant will remain open throughout the duration of the construction, with completion and opening of the new bar expected this spring. Since launching in York in 2018, The Cut & Craft has continued to grow, having opened in Leeds in 2022 and Manchester in 2025. The strategic £1m investment to upsize the Victoria Leeds location follows a strong year for F&B at the destination, across The Cut & Craft, The Ivy, The Ivy Asia, and Caffè Concerto. Rachel Bradburn,...

Oseyo to open largest UK store to date at Newcastle’s Eldon Square

19th February 2026

Oseyo is set to open its largest store to date in the UK at Eldon Square in Newcastle. The Asian supermarket retailer will open a 20,000 sq ft store at the destination, its first location in the North East. The space will offer a range of Korean and Asian foods, toys, stationery, homewares, and electronics. The store will also feature a range of trend-driven experiences, including photobooths, claw machines, and a dedicated Korean beauty section. The Eldon Square opening marks the next step in Oseyo’s expansion into the North of England, with the new store joining existing locations in Manchester and Sheffield. Bernice Nesham, director of asset management at Pradera Lateral, said: “Starting in 2015 with a small shop on Tottenham Court Road, Oseyo has been reinventing the Asian supermarket industry in the UK over the last decade. We are thrilled to have such an innovative and disruptive brand select Eldon Square as both its largest store and its first in the North East. From new brands like Oseyo to the opening of our new multi-use leisure offering Freight Island, Eldon Square is charging into the future of bringing the very best experiences to our visitors.” Isaac Kweon, operations director at Oseyo, added: “Following the success of our […]

Mitchells & Butlers to open new restaurant following Edinburgh acquisition

19th February 2026

Mitchells & Butlers is set to open a new restaurant in Edinburgh after completing the off-market acquisition of the Charwood Bar and Grill on Buckstone Terrace from a private seller. The group – which operates multiple brands including Browns, All Bar One, Nicholsons and Vintage Inns – will reopen the 6,000 sq ft site later this year as a Miller & Carter Steakhouse following a £2m refurbishment. Savills acted for Mitchells & Butlers. John Menzies, director in the retail team at Savills Scotland, said: “This will be the third Miller & Carter in Edinburgh and its location to the south of the city, close to the Edinburgh bypass, will complement the existing city centre and west Edinburgh restaurants. The substantial renovations now underway will transform the business into one of the best new eateries in this district of Scotland’s capital city. “We are also now actively seeking further bar and restaurant opportunities for Mitchells & Butlers throughout the country for a variety of its brands and we are very pleased to be helping the business achieve this ambition over the coming year.” Ginny Uttley, senior acquisition manager at Mitchells & Butlers, added: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of The Charwood, […]

Independent gym operator seeking more sites

19th February 2026

Family-run gym operator Simply Gym has released its latest list of requirements as it looks to open more sites within major towns and cities across the South West and the Midlands. Simply Gym, which currently operates eight locations, is seeking units ranging between 15,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft, with a minimum floor-to-ceiling height of 2.6 metres. Suitable units will be set across ground and/or first floors, with splits considered, and will also be supplemented by strong parking availability. Leasehold or freehold properties will be considered. Target locations include: FHP has been appointed to find suitable locations.

Luxury fragrance house makes UK debut in Covent Garden

19th February 2026

French luxury fragrance house MATIERE PREMIERE has opened its first store in the UK at 31 King Street in Shaftesbury Capital’s Covent Garden estate in London. Spanning 708 sq ft, the new store showcases the brand’s full portfolio of scents, each of which are centred around a single, natural raw material. MATIERE PREMIERE joins a number of fragrance and beauty brands within the Covent Garden neighbourhood, including Byredo, Creed, Chanel, Diptyue, Dolce&Gabbana, Le Labo, Penhaligon’s, and Tom Ford. These brands will soon be joined by the UK store debut for Inito Parfums Privés. On King Street, MATIERE PREMIERE will join the likes of Apple, Arc’teryx, Glossier, Reformation, and Polo Ralph Lauren. William Oliver, director of retail and restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Beauty is an important category for Covent Garden which continues to grow year on year, and MATIERE PREMIERE is an excellent example of the quality of brand we are actively seeking to attract. Our leasing approach focuses on curating a best-in-class mix that enhances the district’s global appeal and supports long-term brand growth. The arrival of MATIERE PREMIERE at King Street reflects both the strength of the location and Covent Garden’s continued evolution as a leading destination...

Hollister fashions Lakeside opening

18th February 2026

Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex is set to expand its fashion offering with the opening of Hollister. Within its new space, the fashion retailer – which is a brand of Abercrombie & Fitch – will offer a range of apparel, accessories, and fragrances. This signing comes as Lakeside looks to redefine the retail experience for its guests through a multi-million-pound investment which is transforming the centre’s interiors and external spaces. Hollister joins a variety of retailers at Lakeside, NEXT, JD Sports, and an enhanced M&S. Rob Jewell, managing director of asset management at Pradera Lateral, said: “From premium names like The White Company, who are set to open at the centre in 2026, to ten lakefront restaurants and leading entertainment operators, Lakeside is redefining what guests can expect from a modern retail destination. The arrival of Hollister is a key part of that transformation, further strengthening our fashion line-up and appeal to a broader audience.”  Lakeside Shopping Centre is owned by SGS UK Retail and asset managed by Pradera Lateral. The leasing agents for this deal were Smith Young and LM Real Estate. 

Ashtrom Properties acquires Gateshead’s Retail World

18th February 2026

London-based private real estate company Ashtrom Properties UK (APUK) has acquired Retail World at Team Valley shopping park in Gateshead. The scheme extends to 391,000 sq ft and is home to a mix of more than 30 brands. Tenants include Asda, B&M, Currys, Decathlon, M&S, McDonald’s, Sports Direct, Superdrug, TK Maxx, and Wren Kitchens. AP UK is a privately-owned company that specialises in the acquisition and development of prime real estate, including notable commercial and office schemes such as Exchange Flags in Liverpool, No. 8 First Street in Manchester, Central Square in Leeds, and Colmore Gate in Birmingham. Legal support was provided by Freeths. Guy Lewinsohn, CEO of AP UK, said: “We are delighted to have completed the acquisition of Retail World at Team Valley. This investment aligns with our strategy to expand our UK footprint and invest in high-performing regional assets. We appreciate the dedication and expertise of the Freeths team together with all the advisers involved in bringing this transaction to a successful close.” Sarah Jelly, director and head of legal at AP UK, added: “Navigating the intricacies of this corporate acquisition was a collective effort of which the AP UK team are very proud. The team at Freeths provided […]

Castore and NEXT recommit to Livingston Designer Outlet with refitted stores

18th February 2026

Castore and NEXT have recommitted to Livingston Designer Outlet in Scotland, with both retailers agreeing to store refits. The expanded and refitted Castore store spans 3,000 sq ft and offers fans and athletes the opportunity to shop for the fan and training collections at discounted prices.   Meanwhile, the relocated and refitted NEXT store now occupies a prominent location in the North Mall as a part of a strategic repositioning project at the destination. This initiative focuses on putting the right brands in the right spaces to maximise commercial impact. Already this year, Livingston Designer Outlet has confirmed the incoming arrival of immersive leisure experience Flip Out, F&B brands Tikka Nation and Sides, and independent deli Hamilton & Brown. Nicky Lovell, head of outlets and retail business development at Global Mutual, said: “This significant investment into their stores from two of our key tenants is testament to the success of Livingston Designer Outlet in supporting the commercial ambitions of our retailers. Outlet shopping is proving to be a key business driver for our brand partners and the commitment of Castore and NEXT to creating leading store environments at Livingston is the perfect start to what promises to be a hugely successful 2026 for the destination.”   

Sheet Anchor Evolve acquires pair of mixed-use assets in Birmingham

18th February 2026

Sheet Anchor Evolve, part of M Core, has acquired a pair of mixed-use assets in Birmingham from Hortons. The group has acquired White House, which extends to 24,561 sq ft and comprises four retail units fronting on to New Street and Lower Temple Street which are let to operators including Tim Hortons. The property also features six floors of office accommodation on the upper levels. Also included in the acquisition is 5-9 Lower Temple Street, which extends to 11,982 sq ft and incorporates three retail units and four floors of office accommodation. The property faces on to New Street Station and provides a strong location for leisure, retail, and workspace occupiers. Richard Durkin, director of capital markets at Lambert Smith Hampton, which acted for Sheet Anchor Evolve, said: “We are delighted to have advised Sheet Anchor Evolve on the acquisition of these two landmark assets in the hear of Birmingham. Their strategic location, strong tenant mix and clear opportunities for value creation make White House and 5–9 Lower Temple Street exceptional additions to Sheet Anchor Evolve’s growing portfolio.”

Harlequin Watford hails record footfall in first year following brand refresh

17th February 2026

Harlequin Watford recorded its highest-ever footfall in 2025, the first year during which the scheme completed a brand refresh that saw the return of its former name. The shopping centre delivered a year-on-year increase in footfall 12 months, setting a new all-time high for the centre with a total figure of 17.2 million visitors for the year. Harlequin Watford also recorded growth ahead of the wider market. In December, the scheme saw a year-on-year increase in footfall of 1.6%, compared to a nationwide decline of 5.1% recorded by the British Retail Consortium. This growth was supported by investment from a range of new brands in 2025, including an upsize of JD Sports and openings from White Stuff, Millie Moo, and The Massage Company. Harlequin Watford has also announced more new brands will be opening in 2026, including Space NK and Chop Wok Express. The scheme was rebranded from Atria Watford last summer by its owner SGS Group. Simon Plumb, centre director at Harlequin Watford, said: “2025 was a defining year for Harlequin Watford – it’s a thrill to be announcing the highest footfall in our history. This achievement not only demonstrates the quality of our brand mix but also our deep […]

New operator sought for Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower

17th February 2026

A new operator is being sought to occupy the iconic Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth. Colliers’ Licensed & Leisure team has been appointed by Portsmouth City Council to find a suitable tenant for the 170-metre tower, which sits at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. The tower comprises three viewing decks, along with a kitchen and bar on the waterfront at the base, and a café located on the second viewing deck. The tower also operates as an events space with provisions to host functions and seasonal events. Spinnaker Tower is also complemented by its close proximity to the Gunwharf Quays outlet shopping centre, which sits adjacent. The tower benefits from strong connectivity via Portsmouth Harbour train station, numerous ferries, and motorway links to the rest of the south. The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is within a 10-minute walk, while Portsmouth city centre is a five-minute drive or under a half an hour walk away from the tower. Paul Bugeja, director in Colliers’ Licensed & Leisure team, said: “The Spinnaker Tower is not only an architectural icon, but also a proven visitor destination. We expect strong interest from a range of operators who will jump at the opportunity to reinvest and unlock the...