Retail Property News

Skechers steps into Scottish outlet centre

30th May 2025

Skechers is set to open at Affinity Sterling Mills outlet shopping centre in Tillicoultry, Scotland. Opening this June, the retailer’s 4,256 sq ft store will offer a range of footwear for men, women, and children. Skechers at Affinity Sterling Mills will join the outlet centre’s existing athleisure and outdoor offering, which includes Adidas, Nike Factory Store and Trespass. Nicky Lovell, head of outlets and business development at Global Mutual, said: “The arrival of Skechers at Affinity Sterling Mills is an excellent addition to the outlet centre’s impressive retail mix, and reflects our commitment to continuing to strengthen the centre’s offering by bringing in globally recognised brands that drive footfall. Having Skechers now open at all Affinity Outlets across the UK shows the confidence in our centres and reflects the strong relationships we’ve built with our retail partners.”

Major stake of Manchester shopping centre heads to market with £235m price tag

30th May 2025

A 50% stake in Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre has been placed on the market for around £235m. The former INTU RFC Investors have instructed JLL to market the stake. Spanning 1.6 million sq ft, Manchester Arndale is one of the largest city centre covered shopping complexes in the UK. Tenants at the scheme include Next, JD Sports, Zara, Apple, and Boots, with recent arrivals including Sephora, Joe & The Juice, and Go Outdoors. A spokesperson for the investors said: “We are delighted to confirm we are working with JLL to commence the marketing process of the Arndale this week, providing investors an opportunity to purchase a 50 per cent stake in this super prime city centre asset that has not been available since it last sold in 2005.” The scheme was jointly acquired by Intu and by M&G Real Estate in 2005, before Intu fell into administration in 2020.

Chopstix to open debut Brighton site

30th May 2025

Chinese-inspired quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand Chopstix is set to open its first site in Brighton this month. Located on North Street, the restaurant is a short distance from the city’s famous seafront, and its arrival follows a number of successful openings for the brand in 2025 including in Leeds and South Normaton. These latest openings come during a busy period of growth for Chopstix following investment from European QSR operator QSRP last October. While investing in new locations, Chopstix has also begun a visual identity upgrade at many of its restaurants. Following the opening of Bridgend last month – the brand’s first new store to open with this updated identity – Brighton becomes the next to follow suit. Sam Elia, co-founder and director, Chopstix, said: “In recent years, we have recognised huge headroom for expansion across the UK for the brand, particularly in high footfall areas, as consumers increasingly seek out our bold, Chinese flavours over other high street staples. The location of the Brighton site is fantastic and given how well the Chopstix brand typically performs on UK high streets, I have no doubt we’ll have huge success with this site.”

Superdrug opens at Guildford retail park

30th May 2025

Superdrug has opened the doors to a large format store at Ladymead Retail Park in Guildford, Surrey. The 8,000 sq ft store stocks a range of health and beauty products, toiletries, and fragrances. It also features a dedicated studio area designed for customers to try out treatments such as nails, acrylics, lashes, and piercings. The opening comes as the retailer looks to open 25 new stores this year. Clare Jennings, property director at Superdrug, said: “We are excited to be opening our new store in Guildford, which already has an incredible footfall allowing us to offer a premium shopping experience to customers far and wide. “The opening will generate new jobs at Ladymead Retail Park, allowing us to support employment in the local community.” GCW Property Consultants and Womble Bond Dickinson acted for Superdrug, while Rosebury Real Estate acted for the landlord.

M Core submits planning application to create Staffordshire retail park

29th May 2025

Property collective M Core has submitted a planning application to transform a vacant site in Staffordshire into a retail and leisure development. Should the application be approved, the six-acre site – located at the Multipark Burntwood industrial park – is set to accommodate 52,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space, including three drive-through units and two large spaces for retailers or leisure operators. LCP, part of M Core, has been actively preparing the site since February, undertaking remediation works to clear historic unexploded ordnance. Development is scheduled to begin in autumn 2025, with completion set for September next year, pending planning approval. Nick Bryson, director of industrial at LCP, part of M Core, said: “We’re thrilled to have now formally submitted the planning application for the Blue Hoarded site in Burntwood. This is a location that has stood empty for decades, so we’re delighted to take another step forward towards developing this site into a thriving retail and leisure scheme for the local community.” Darren Ennis, councillor for Lichfield District Council, added: “It’s brilliant to see this kind of development coming to Burntwood. Not only does it bring quality jobs to the area, but it also delivers the kinds of businesses […]

Mixed-use Buckingham Palace Road jewel brought to market

29th May 2025

A mixed-use portfolio of properties on Buckingham Palace Road in the Victoria submarket of Central London has been brought to market. Offers are being invited for 6-42 Buckingham Palace Road, which comprises 42,318 sq ft of retail, restaurant, office, and residential space across a 0.44 acre site. The portfolio comprises eight separate leasehold titles, separated physically by Victoria Square. The northern block provides a mixed-use collection of units, whilst at the southern block, the upper units have been sold on long leases with the retail units fully let on five occupational leases, with three units sold off to one long leaseholder at 10% gearing. The asset’s retail tenants produce a rental income of £753,390 per annum and have a weighted average unexpired lease term of over nine years. Tenants include Gail’s Bakery, Hummingbird Bakery, and Pizza Pilgrims. The portfolio is also home to The Bag O’ Nails, a Grade II-listed public house located on the intersection of Buckingham Palace Road and Lower Grosvenor Place. The total passing rent of the total portfolio is £1,065,174, with a vacancy rate of 13%. 6-42 Buckingham Palace Road sits at the gateway to Belgravia, opposite Landsec’s Nova development, which was completed in 2017. Buckingham...

Aldi to open 10 stores this summer as part of £650m investment

29th May 2025

Aldi is set to open 10 new stores this summer as the retailer invests £650m into expanding its store footprint in 2025. The supermarket retailer will be opening the new stores over the next 14 weeks as part of its long-term plan to reach 1,500 stores in the UK. These openings come as Aldi – which operates over 1,050 UK stores – also commences a refresh of 30 of its existing supermarkets. Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said: “At Aldi, our goal is to ensure everyone has access to high-quality food at unbeatable prices, and we’re committed to achieving that with our ambitious store opening plans. “We’re targeting 40 new store openings in 2025, while many of our current stores will also be getting a refresh to enhance the customer experience, meaning we can consistently offer the best value for money to even more shoppers across the UK.” The new stores that are opening will be located in:

Grosvenor Property appoints CEO amid raft of senior changes

29th May 2025

Grosvenor Property has appointed a new CEO amid a number of senior changes, as James Raynor takes the reins this September. Currently CEO of Grosvenor’s UK property business, Raynor will be responsible for the organisation’s international property business, which develops, manages, and invests in property through two operating companies, Grosvenor Property UK and Grosvenor Property Americas. He will take over from Grosvenor CEO and executive trustee, Mark Preston. Preston will continue to retain the executive trustee role, with responsibility for Grosvenor’s overall strategy and performance. Raynor will continue to hold the post of CEO of Grosvenor Property UK until a successor is appointed, with the process to select a replacement currently underway. Meanwhile, Debbie Lee has been appointed as Grosvenor’s chief financial officer (CFO), succeeding current CFO Rob Davis, from July 2026.   She will be succeeded in her present role as CFO of Grosvenor Property UK by Jamie Whitty-Lewis, who is currently executive director of finance at Grosvenor Property UK, from April 2026.  When taking up their new roles, both Raynor and Lee will report to Preston as Executive Trustee. Mark Preston, Grosvenor’s CEO & Executive Trustee, said: “Grosvenor is unique among peers in the sector not only for having a track record in property of almost 350 years, but also for its […]

Former Shaftesbury Capital director joins P-Three

29th May 2025

Leasing agency P-Three has appointed former Shaftesbury Capital restaurant director Julia Wilkinson as a restaurant and placemaking consultant. In her new position, Wilkinson will lead a consultancy service line, creating leasing strategies for London estates, mixed-use assets, and prime locations.

John Lewis gets green light for West Ealing resi development

28th May 2025

The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has been given the green light to redevelop its Waitrose store in West Ealing and build hundreds of new homes nearby. The original application – which outlined the transformation of the existing Waitrose store and adjacent car park to create 428 homes – was originally made in summer 2023 but was initially rejected. A government planning inspector has now confirmed the plans have been given the go-ahead after JLP submitted an appeal in summer 2024 on the grounds of a ‘non-determination’. This decision follows the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million more homes over the next five years and its new National Planning Policy Framework, which gives “substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements for homes”. JLP said the move forms part of its long-term strategy to optimise its property portfolio and deliver much-needed housing. Once complete, the new residential community will also be supplemented by a new public square, a community facility, and commercial space. Katherine Russell, director of build-to-rent at JLP, said: “We’re pleased that the inspector has found in favour of the multi-million-pound investment that will create vital new housing and a modernised Waitrose store to serve a community we have...

Wolverhampton’s Mander Centre scores Superbowl UK opening

28th May 2025

Bowling operator Superbowl UK has opened its 15th branch at Wolverhampton’s Mander Centre following a £2.4m investment. Situated off Victoria Street, the 17,000 sq ft venue features 12 bowling lanes, a soft play area, interactive darts, a bar and diner, and an arcade. The deal was facilitated by the Mander Centre’s joint letting agents Jamieson Mills and Jackson Criss. Kate Quaintance, acquisitions director at Superbowl UK, said: “The opening of Wolverhampton as our 15th branch is part of our significant growth in the last 5 years. “Superbowl UK Wolverhampton brings the company’s distinctive brand of family entertainment and competitive socialising to Wolverhampton, and we are delighted we can now start welcoming the people of Wolverhampton to enjoy our fantastic offer.” Councillor Chris Burden added: “Superbowl UK’s new venue will serve as a catalyst for further investment and the council continues to work with the owners of the Mander Centre, Catella APAM, on attracting other new leisure and food and beverage occupiers. “Alongside Superbowl UK, the city centre will also be boosted by the opening of the new 4 screen Lockworks Cinema in the Chubb Building this summer and a new indoor climbing facility coming to the former Express & Star […]

Moss reopens Oxford Street flagship after revamp

28th May 2025

Moss has reopened the doors to its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street after an extensive refurbishment and extension. Located close to Oxford Circus, the retailer’s store now spans 7,000 sq ft across three floors, offering a wider range of menswear. The opening marks a major point in Moss’s wider store portfolio transformation, which saw the retailer refit 15 stores in 2024 with more in the pipeline for this year. FMX Urban Property Advisers acted for Moss in the Oxford Street revamp, and is actively seeking new sites as the menswear retailer looks to expand. The refurbishment comes as Moss also opens a store within Birmingham’s Bullring.