Retail Property News

XF Gym takes former Wilko in Liverpool City Centre

14th April 2025

XF Gym is set to open a new 30,000 sq ft fitness facility at St Johns Shopping Centre in Liverpool City Centre, taking the former Wilko unit. The fitness and wellness operator – which is one of the newest in the UK – has signed a lease with scheme owners RivingtonHark for the new space, which is set to open in the autumn. The new hub will feature an open-plan workout zone, a women-only space, as well as a variety of fitness classes in its group exercise studios, including yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boxing, dance, and cycling, along with luxury changing facilities. Located metres from Lime Street Station, St Johns Shopping Centre comprises 540,000 sq ft of retail and leisure offerings. The scheme is home to a variety of brands, including JD Sports, Aldi, Liverpool FC Store, Sainsbury’s, Home Bargains, Argos, and Matalan, as well as a selection of food and beverage, and independent retailers. Neil Ashcroft, centre director at St Johns Shopping Centre, said: “With an unbeatable location, over one million visitors per month and a broad mix of retailers and leisure offerings, St Johns Shopping Centre is the perfect home for growing, innovative businesses like XF Gym. We share their […]

Cotswolds Designer Outlet 98% pre-let with raft of new signings

14th April 2025

Cotswolds Designer Outlet is now nearly fully pre-let following a raft of new signings. The scheme now has over 133,600 sq ft of space either exchanged or in solicitors’ hands, which will bring it to 98% let when it opens this summer. The new lettings are led by BOSS, which has taken a 4,126 sq ft unit and is joined by Marks & Spencer, Adidas, and Levi’s, which have secured stores spanning 7,845 sq ft, 8,474 sq ft, and 4,455 sq ft respectively. Developer and investor Robert Hitchins, along with specialist manager of retail and leisure destinations Multi-Realm, have been responsible for delivering the line-up of Phase 1. Located just off Junction 9 of the M5 near Tewkesbury and equidistant from Bristol and Birmingham, Cotswolds Designer Outlet is part of a long-term vision to delver an injection of investment to the area, with approximately 260,000 sq ft of retail, F&B, and leisure space being delivered through Cotswolds Designer Outlet and the Dobbies Garden Centre. To date, 110,000 sq ft of Phase 1 has been committed to by 44 brands with more set to be announced soon. In addition to BOSS, M&S, Adidas, and Levi’s, the national and international brands currently fitting...

Savills launches 52,000 sq ft of retail space at former Oxford Street Debenhams

14th April 2025

Savills, appointed by Ramsbury Oxford and development adviser Capital Real Estate Partners, is launching a flagship retail space at the former Debenhams department store on London’s Oxford Street. The space at 340 Oxford Street will span 52,500 sq ft of double height space across ground, basement, and first floors. Nearby retailers include Zara, Abercrombie & Fitch, Uniqlo, Mango, Pandora, Disney, and Maniere De Voir. Research from Savills also found that retailers on Oxford Street have invested approximately £118m over the past 12 months into the fit out of their stores, including Nike, New Balance, Bershka, Massimo, Moss Bros, and Vans. The space comes to market at a time when there is limited amounts of new stock with vacancy rates at a record low. Savills’ latest central London retail leasing research reveals a reduction in vacancy rates for Oxford Street, which fell to 1.35% at year-end, its lowest level since before the pandemic. Sam Foyle, co-head of Global Retail at Savills, said: “340 Oxford Street is the largest flagship retail unit to debut in the capital in years, and we have already experienced significant interest from world-class brands. The retail space, which can be divided into various configurations, ensures flexibility to meet […]

Reinvested brands bolster sales at Gloucester Quays

14th April 2025

Peel Retail & Leisure’s Gloucester Quays has recorded a 6% increase in sales over the last financial year, with brands that have reinvested into the scheme particularly benefitting. This increase – which happened during the period covering April 2024 to March 2025 – followed record sales growth of 11% at the outlet shopping centre the previous year. The centre’s retail sales from existing tenants were up by 5%, with homeware brand Le Creuset, footwear retailer Skechers, and outdoor specialist Mountain Warehouse, as well as Hallmark, Raging Bull, and Holland & Barrett examples of brands that invested in their stores and saw increased performance. Gloucester Quays’ current hospitality brands saw an increase in sales, 7% up on the previous financial year. Double-digit growth for the likes of local operator Anatolian Palace and Nando’s helped propel sales in the category. Paul Carter, asset director at Peel Retail & Leisure, said: “Gloucester Quays has driven sustained growth year-on-year, a legacy that reinforces our long-standing commitment to providing a best-in-class experience. We are continuing to adapt to evolving consumer demand for lifestyle-led spaces, something we are uniquely able to deliver as a destination that crosses between both city centre convenience and aspirational outlet. With […]

Mango opens first store in Leicestershire at Highcross

14th April 2025

Mango has opened its first store in Leicestershire at Highcross Leicester. The retailer joins the growing fashion line-up at the scheme, which last week announced the upcoming arrival of Asian sushi and noodle bar, Maki & Ramen. The new store will offer the Spanish fashion brand’s range of womenswear, including its new Mediterranean-inspired concept ‘New Med’. Situated on the upper mall, Mango becomes the first brand to open at Highcross since its brand refresh, which was marked by celebrations across the centre. Michelle Menezes, centre director at Highcross Leicester, said: “We’re very excited to welcome much-loved fashion brand, Mango, to Highcross. We’re delighted that the brand has chosen us as its sole location within Leicestershire and we’re looking forward to working with the team to support their success.  “It’s been fantastic to see so many eager shoppers waiting outside the doors to be among the first to see the brand’s ‘New Med’ concept store. Its arrival signals a new wave of exciting brands we’re introducing this year to Highcross, and we can’t wait to share more details with shoppers soon.” Mango becomes the latest global brand to be added to the centre’s line up following a change in management. The NewRiver […]

Property consultancy appointed at Sunderland shopping centre

11th April 2025

Retail property consultancy Barker Proudlove has been appointed by Evolve Estates as join leasing agents at The Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland, working alongside Savills. Spanning 560,000 sq ft, the shopping centre is home to 70 tenants, with retailers at the scheme including Primark, Boots, Next, Pandora, New Look, JD Sports, Savers, Iceland, Schuh, Vodafone, Starbucks, Card Factory, Superdrug, H&M, and River Island. The scheme is also supplemented by a 938-space car park. The shopping centre is also soon set to welcome 84,000 sq ft of new dining and leisure experiences. The Bridges Shopping Centre was acquired by Evolve Estates, part of M Core, last summer. Grant Owens, director at Barker Proudlove, said: “The Bridges Centre is a fantastic new instruction, and we are thrilled to be part of the new team working alongside Daniel Davies and Evolve Estates. Evolve’s recent investment has already elevated the centre to new heights, and we look forward to attracting more aspirational brands and new concepts that resonate with the rapidly growing North East economy.”

Homewares retailer seeks high street locations for expansion

11th April 2025

Homewares and lifestyle retailer Vinegar Hill is actively seeking new sites as it looks to expand. The independent retailer – which was established in 1997 and trades from 15 stores – offers homeware products, gifts, and clothing from local sources. Vinegar Hill currently has stores in Bath, Berkhamsted, Bishop’s Stortford, Cheltenham, Chichester, Farnham, Henley-on-Thames, Hitchin, Horsham, Marlborough, Shrewsbury, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Windsor, and Witney. The retailer is seeking units ranging between 1,000 sq ft and 2,000 sq ft in high street locations. Target locations include, but are not exclusive to: Esher; Exeter; Frome; Guildford; Haywards Heath; and Leamington Spa. Ewan Stacey and Archie Morriss of GCW have been appointed to find suitable locations.

Hollywood Bowl begins fit-out works at The Oracle Reading

11th April 2025

Hollywood Bowl has begun fitting out works at Hammerson’s The Oracle in Reading, with the bowling operator set to open this summer. Following a £4.5m investment, the venue will feature 24 bowling lanes, amusements, and a themed bar and diner. Hollywood Bowl is set to add to the existing leisure and F&B experiences on offer at The Oracle joining a mix of restaurants, bars, cafés, and a cinema. This latest opening forms part of Hammerson’s repositioning of The Oracle, including the repurposing of a former department store. In total, around 40% of the asset, or 320,000 sq ft, is in scope, making this Hammerson’s most significant transformation project to date. Rita-Rose Gagné, CEO of Hammerson, said: “We are proud to be partnering with Hollywood Bowl and delighted by their level of commitment and scale of investment. It’s a major endorsement of the strength of The Oracle, its catchment and the demand we have built over the years, offering a thriving destination for visitors, day and night. It also represents the latest phase of proactive repositioning of The Oracle as we continue to attract leading brands and operators.” Stephen Burns, CEO of Hollywood Bowl Group, added: “We are pleased to announce the opening […]

Søstrene Grene to expand Yorkshire presence in Harrogate

11th April 2025

Søstrene Grene is set to expand its presence in Yorkshire with the opening of a new store in Harrogate. The Danish retailer’s store will offer a range of home décor, furniture, and lifestyle products, and will join the brand’s existing Yorkshire stores in Leeds, York, and Wakefield. With over 300 stores in 17 countries, Søstrene Grene is growing its presence in the UK, and is planning to open 100 stores across the country by 2027. Mikkel Grene, CEO and co-owner of Søstrene Grene, said: “We’re really excited to open in Harrogate, a town known for its unique charm. This new store is an important part of our ongoing expansion in Yorkshire, and we’re looking forward to introducing our distinctive homewares to even more customers in the region.” Jonathan Cooper, Søstrene Grene joint venture partner, added: “Harrogate is a town full of character, and its strong sense of community makes it a perfect fit for Søstrene Grene. After the excitement of our Leeds opening earlier this year, we’re proud to continue our journey into Yorkshire with the new Harrogate store. This expansion is part of a broader plan to bring Søstrene Grene to even more communities across the North, and we’re […]

Mayfair’s 60 Curzon signs Korean barbecue restaurant

10th April 2025

The 60 Curzon building in London’s Mayfair is set to welcome Korean barbecue concept Kiji next year. Opening in 2026, the restaurant will span 8,000 sq ft and feature a bar, lounge, and private chef room. It will occupy the location once home to Mirabelle, an institution frequented by the likes of Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, and Winston Churchill. The concept will be headed up by a hospitality group led by Korean-born culinary duo Ellia and Junghyun Park, the pair behind the internationally-acclaimed Atomix in New York. Located on the corner of Curzon Street and Bolton Street, 60 Curzon is an eight-storey property that celebrated build completion in June of last year. The Portland Stone property was crafted by PLP Architecture as a nod to the Art Deco architectural heritage of the site, with interior architecture designed by French architect Thierry Despont. The development features 32 private residences, of which over 50% have sold. A central showpiece of the reimagined building is the restaurant space which is set to debut Kiji. Charles Leigh, director at 60 Curzon, said: “This is another exciting chapter in the history of the icon that is 60 Curzon, and we are honoured to be involved...

LondonMetric acquires M&S warehouse in Bristol for £74m

10th April 2025

LondonMetric Property has acquired a logistics warehouse in Bristol for £74m, reflecting a net initial yield of 5.65%. The 390,000 sq ft warehouse is pre-let to Marks & Spencer on a 20-year lease with five-yearly upwards-only rent reviews linked to the consumer price index. It is located at Axis Works in Bristol, adjacent to other LondonMetric warehouse investments in Avonmouth. The asset is being developed by Epta Development Corporation and its partner Stoford. It is set to become a key facility for M&S’s food distribution business and will incorporate chilled, ambient, and frozen products. The building – which is rated BREEAM Excellent – is expected to complete in summer 2026 and LondonMetric will receive a funding coupon of 5.5% during the development. Andrew Jones, chief executive of LondonMetric, said: “This is a high quality development let on a very long lease to one of the UK’s strongest retailers. It will deliver income longevity, certainty and guaranteed growth. It further extends our relationship with M&S and adds another exceptional building to LondonMetric’s portfolio.” Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food, added: “Modernising our supply chain is key to increasing the capacity in our network and will help us get ahead of […]

Former Ellandi pair launch asset management platform

10th April 2025

Tim Cornford and Ruth Moorhouse, formerly of Ellandi (now NewRiver), have launched BCAM, an asset management platform. Cornford and Moorhouse previously held the positions of head of asset management and head of public/private partnerships at Ellandi, respectively, and between them have over 35 years of retail, asset, and development management experience. Their experience includes providing strategic asset management advice for both local authorities and private clients. The new platform looks to deliver a holistic and proactive approach to asset and development management, backed by building consultancy platform Black Cat. Services BCAM will offer include: strategic asset management, leasing strategy and income stabilisation, financial management and loan compliance, asset alignment with wider regeneration programmes, supervisory asset management, administrator reporting, stakeholder and community engagement strategy, annual business plans, support with internal governance and reporting processes, forensic financial analysis, overseeing and directing property and facilities management, and tenant engagement. Tim Cornford, director at BCAM, said: “We don’t just manage assets, we unlock their full potential. “Our proactive strategies ensure that town centres and key assets remain resilient and successful in an evolving landscape. Our approach is built on integrity, transparency, and a long-term commitment to value creation and placemaking. This ensures our assets...