Retail Property News

Leeds’ Victoria Gate celebrates 10th anniversary

10th November 2026

Victoria Gate, part of Redical’s Victoria Leeds shopping destination in Leeds, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The destination, which opened in October 2016 following a £165m development, sits alongside the Grade II-listed Victoria Quarter to create Victoria Leeds. Anchored by the only John Lewis store in the region, the Redical-owned Victoria Leeds was named as the World’s Best Shopping Centre at MIPIM in 2017 and as the UK’s number one shopping centre on Tripadvisor earlier this year. Since opening, the destination has welcomed over 135 million visits, driven by an active leasing strategy which has seen Redical lease 70,400 sq ft of previously vacant floorspace since acquiring the scheme, reducing vacancy from around 15% by floor area to less than 5% today. More than 35 new brands have arrived at the shopping centre during Redical’s ownership. Pour Moi, Aesop, APM Monaco, Lisa Angel, AS Colour, and Randox have all made their northern debuts at the destination, while Wax London, Missoma, Monica Vinader, Byredo, and Le Labo chose Victoria Leeds for their first stores outside London. Alo, Nobody’s Child, Arabian Oud, and ARNE have since chosen the scheme for their second stores outside of London, with ARNE opening its third permanent […]

Newcastle shopping centre welcomes two independent retailers

10th November 2026

Gosforth Central shopping centre on Gosforth High Street in Newcastle is set to welcome two independent retailers. Forum Books will open its fourth shop, which will trade as The Forth, while Ouseburn-based boutique The Find will open its second location, selling local art and handmade and vintage goods. Both retailers are currently fitting out their stores and are expected to open before the end of November. The two shops are the first lettings in the former TGJones store, which closed in September and has since been sub-divided into four ground floor units and one first floor unit. Forum Books and The Find have taken two ground floor units, pre-letting 50% of the former TGJones floor space. The Forth will be the latest bookshop from the team behind Forum Books, which opened its first store in Corbridge in 2011 followed by The Bound in Whitley Bay and The Accidental Bookshop in Alnwick. The Find has traded on Lime Street in Ouseburn for over three years, with owner Jessica Penrose looking to bring together a collective of local artists, makers, and vintage sellers specifically chosen for Gosforth Central. The two lettings continue the transformation of the 74,000 sq ft centre which was...

Hush to open third UK store in Marlow

10th November 2026

Hush is set to open its third physical store in Marlow, Buckinghamshire this November. The premium women’s fashion and lifestyle retailer said the new store forms part of its long-term strategy to bring the brand closer to its customers. The opening will complete a trio of new Hush stores launching this autumn, following on from openings in Bluewater and Guildford in October. Founded in London in 2003 by Australian Mandy Watkins, Hush looks to curate a modern wardrobe with products that are designed to feel effortless, considered, and easy to wear. Located on Marlow High Street, the new store will showcase the brand’s full collection across the clothing, knitwear, outerwear, denim, accessories, and footwear categories. Alongside new arrivals and bestselling products, customers will be able to access styling guidance and outfit inspiration.

Independent gym agrees 10-year lease at Salford’s Middlewood Locks

10th November 2026

An independent gym operator has signed a 10-year lease to open at Middlewood Locks, the £1bn mixed-use development at the gateway between Salford and Manchester city centre. Forged will take a 4,700 sq ft unit at the development for its first-ever space, which will open in January 2027. The operator has been established by Sam Benjamin, a resident at Middlewood Locks, who also owns Tap House in Manchester and bars in Nottingham. The unit forms part of Railings, the recently completed third phase of homes and commercial space at Middlewood Locks. The phase includes four units totalling nearly 10,000 sq ft. Further occupiers within Railings are expected to be announced soon. The privately-owned and operated gym supports Middlewood Locks’ approach to attracting independent businesses and will complement existing amenities, including the Co-op convenience store and 92 Degrees coffee shop. Sam Benjamin, founder of Forged, said: “Having lived at Middlewood Locks for the past two years, I recognised the opportunity to establish a high-quality gym serving both residents and the surrounding neighbourhood. Forged brings together my commitment to fitness and healthy living with my sporting background and experience in hospitality. “Our aim is to provide a dedicated strength-training environment, with high-quality […]

Virgin Atlantic Holidays and M&S continue partnership with new store at Westfield London

9th November 2026

Virgin Atlantic Holidays and Marks & Spencer are expanding their partnership with the opening of a new concession at M&S in Westfield London. Opening in December 2026, the new concession will enable customers to plan and book a Virgin Atlantic Holiday while visiting one of London’s leading shopping destinations. Travel experts will be available in-store to offer personalised advice and help customers create long-haul holidays tailored to them. The expansion supports Virgin Atlantic Holidays’ ambition to grow its presence in London and reach more of the capital’s leisure travellers. It also follows the recent announcement of a new Virgin Atlantic Holidays flagship store at Battersea Power Station. Dave Geer, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “We’re really excited to build on our partnership with Marks & Spencer bringing Virgin Atlantic Holidays to even more customers in London. “M&S is a brand people know and love, and this new concession gives customers another convenient way to start thinking about, planning and booking their next holiday. Our travel experts can help customers go beyond simply choosing a destination – sharing their knowledge and recommendations to create a holiday that really makes the most of every moment, whether that’s a Maldives escape, […]

Sheffield’s Heart of the City adds Wingstop to F&B lineup

9th November 2026

Wingstop is set to join Sheffield’s Heart of the City after agreeing a 15-year lease for a two-storey, 3,767 sq ft space at the shopping destination. Working alongside asset management partner RivingtonHark, Sheffield City Council has announced that the chicken wing restaurant will join the destination’s expanding mix of bars and restaurants, including The Botanist, Pret A Manger, Marmadukes, Bird and Blend, Box, and Cambridge Street Collective. The arrival of Wingstop follows the recent letting to Urban Outfitters, which joined the likes of Superdry, Fjallraven, Sostrene Grene, Weekend Offender, and Lucy & Yak at the Heart of the City. The 1.5m sq ft flagship regeneration project has transformed Sheffield city centre into a concentration of shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, experiences, apartments, townhouses, and over 300,000 sq ft of occupied workspace. Councillor Fran Belbin, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Wingstop to Sheffield and to see another internationally recognised brand choosing Heart of the City as its new home. “This is another great vote of confidence in Sheffield city centre and in the transformation that has taken place over recent years. A recognisable name such as Wingstop will help to attract even more people into the city...

Staffordshire shopping centre welcomes trio of independent retailers

9th November 2026

Coopers Square in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, has welcomed three new independent retailers over the past four weeks, as it looks to strengthen its retail and food offer ahead of the Christmas period. Grace & Co, Wolf’s Bakery, and Gear Outfits have all now joined the centre’s line-up, bringing more choice across the jewellery, food, and fashion categories. Their arrivals follow the openings of Optical People Burton and F.Hinds earlier in the year. Family-owned jeweller Grace & Co offers jewellery for everyday wear, special occasions, and gifting, including Nomination’s Italian-designed charms and bracelets. Meanwhile, Wolf’s Bakery has relocated from New Street to Coopers Square, offering Romanian and Eastern European-inspired treats, while clothing retailer Gear Outfits adds another fashion option for visitors. The openings build on a busy year of seasonal events at Coopers Square. The scheme’s Summer Play Series brought Pokémon, LEGO and Toy Story-themed activities to Burton, followed by music and Halloween festivities during the October half-term. Eli Kauffman, asset manager for Landswood De Coy LLP, said: “These openings are a clear sign of the confidence retailers have in Coopers Square and in Burton. Following our earlier lettings this year, they add genuine variety to the centre and strengthen […]

AEW UK REIT offloads £8.15m Devon retail park

9th November 2026

AEW UK REIT has sold Barnstaple Retail Park in Devon for £8.15m, reflecting a net initial yield of 7.5%. The 51,000 sq ft retail park was originally acquired by AEW UK in October 2015 for £6.79m, reflecting a net initial yield of 8.5%. The 2026 sale price represents a premium of £1.36m, or 20% compared to the purchase price, following landlord capital expenditure over the ownership period of approximately £230,000. During AEW UK’s, the scheme saw several asset management initiatives that increased income and strengthened the park’s tenant profile. These included lettings to Wren Kitchens and Farmfoods, alongside a lease regear with anchor tenant B&Q. The regear secured a 15-year term certain and increased annual rent by £80,280, contributing to a £900,000 uplift in the property’s valuation in December 2025, equivalent to approximately 12%. With the next lease event not due until 2029 and rental income broadly in line with market levels, the asset manager considers there to be limited scope for further income growth in the short to medium term. AEW UK said the sale proceeds will be reinvested in its higher-yielding investment pipeline, in line with its active capital allocation strategy. This is expected to enhance earnings once […]

Urban Playground tees up 15,000 sq ft Putters venue at Canary Wharf

6th November 2026

Urban Playground, the group behind the CUBE gaming experience, is bringing immersive crazy golf experience Putters to London’s Canary Wharf. Following the successful launch of Putters at Manchester Arndale, the operator will open a 15,000 sq ft space featuring an 18-hole course with live scoreboards, on-screen animation, and audio. The venue will also offer pizza from Stretch & Bake and buttermilk chicken from Chick Chick Boom, alongside a cocktail bar. Stuart Fyfe, managing director of retail, leisure, and hospitality at Canary Wharf Group, said: “Everyone loves crazy golf and we’re excited to see them open at Canary Wharf. Its fresh take on crazy golf is just the kind of experience-led concept our visitors, workers and residents look for, and it adds something new to our growing daytime, evening and weekend offer. Leisure continues to perform strongly and is an essential part of our placemaking which attracts people to the district. “More people are choosing Canary Wharf than ever before with visitor numbers tracking ahead of last year’s record-breaking total. With 99% of the estate’s retail and leisure space occupied, there’s never been more to see, eat, buy and do at the Wharf.” Edward Mellors, CEO at Urban Playground, added: “We’re […]

FaceGym to make city debut at Liverpool ONE

6th November 2026

FaceGym is set to continue its franchise expansion with the opening of its first studio in Liverpool at Landsec’s Liverpool ONE shopping centre. The ‘facial fitness’ brand will open a 500 sq ft studio on Peter’s Lane in December, marking the third location for franchise partner Vivo Studios alongside King Street and Selfridges Trafford in Manchester. The opening forms part of FaceGym’s wider UK franchise rollout, which will see the brand look to roll out 28 new studios over three years. The company has recently expanded its UK footprint with openings in London’s Canary Wharf and Broadgate, Leeds, and Cambridge. Founded in 2014, FaceGym looks to offer ‘non-invasive facial workouts’, which combine massage techniques with skincare technology through a membership-led model. Angelo Castello, chief executive of FaceGym, said: “Franchising is central to how we’re growing FaceGym in the UK, and Vivo Studios has shown exactly what a strong local partner can do in Manchester. “Liverpool ONE is one of the UK’s leading retail destinations, and it’s the perfect home for our first Liverpool studio.” Minesh Solanki, managing director at Vivo Studios, added: “Liverpool ONE was our first choice for the next step in our North West expansion. “The footfall, the...

Cheshire retail park handed £21.8m price tag

6th November 2026

A retail park in Macclesfield, Cheshire has been brought to the investment market with an asking price of £21,785,000, reflecting a net initial yield of 5.75%. Constructed in 2022, Barracks Mill Retail Park extends to approximately 79,112 sq ft and is supplemented by 325 car parking spaces. The fully-let scheme is home to tenants including Aldi, M&S, B&M, Farmfoods, Costa, KFC, and BP Pulse, and has a weighted average unexpired lease term of 12.3 years to expiry and 10.9 years to break. Aldi, M&S, and Farmfoods account for over half the scheme’s total passing rent of £1,337,970 per annum. Barracks Mill Retail Park is situated alongside the A523, which provides access to Manchester to the north and Leek to the south, and sits adjacent to a Tesco Supermarket. Other nearby retail provision includes Lyme Green Retail Park, Silk Road Retail Park, and a B&Q and Halfords cluster. Macclesfield is an affluent market town that benefits from rail connections to Manchester and London and is in close proximity to the Peak District National Park. The town is experiencing continued residential growth, with a number of significant housing developments under construction or progressing through the planning process. Rosebury Real Estate has been […]

MINISO to more than double footprint at St David’s Cardiff with new concept store

5th November 2026

MINISO is set to open its first MINISO FRIENDS store at Landsec’s St David’s in Cardiff, with the retailer set to more than double its footprint at the shopping centre. Opening in the second half of 2027, the new concept store will span over 6,600 sq ft and be situated in close proximity to M&S, Primark, and Boots. The store will offer collectables range including blind boxes, plush and licensed merchandise, and MINISO’s full lifestyle, home, stationery, gifting, and accessories offer. It will also feature dedicated zones showcasing collaborations with globally recognised characters and brands. MINISO has been present at the scheme since November 2020, when Cardiff became the retailer’s second location in the UK and its first store outside of London. The debut of MINISO FRIENDS follows the announcement that the retailer will open its first MINISO LAND concept store on London’s Oxford Street, creating a 19,000 sq ft flagship. Pablo Sueiras, head of retail and hospitality leasing at Landsec, said: “MINISO’s decision to more than double its footprint and select St David’s for the UK debut of MINISO Friends reflects the strength of the destination and the opportunity we see in Cardiff. “We’re seeing significant growth in collectables,...