Retail Property News

John Lewis submits BTR plans for 215 homes in Reading

3rd September 2024

The John Lewis Partnership has submitted a planning application to Reading Borough Council proposing the creation of new build-to-rent (BTR) homes. The retailer has proposed an £80m transformation of a former distribution warehouse into 215 energy-efficient homes, along with 6,000 sq ft of internal amenity space, two external gardens, and improved public realm areas. Located adjacent to the A329 and opposite The Oracle shopping centre in the town centre, the site sits in close proximity to Reading Train Station, providing access to London in under an hour. The new project is set to include a mixture of one, two, and three bedroom homes which will be supplemented by shared areas for fitness, home-working, and socialising. John Lewis said the homes will be highly sustainable, using high performance materials with renewable energy resources. Due to the development’s proximity to the town centre and the availability of the local transport network, the scheme will be car-free, barring accessible spaces. The group added that the proposals reinforce its ambition to create a housing brand designed specifically for renters, in a bid to ease housing pressures and generate long-term, stable income. Katherine Russell, director of BTR for the John Lewis Partnership, said: “We have […]

Wickes opens in Scotland for first time in over 10 years

3rd September 2024

Wickes has opened its first store in Scotland in over a decade at Arnhall Business Park in Aberdeen. The 32,000 sq ft store offers a range of home improvement and DIY products, and also features a showroom for bathrooms and kitchens. The new store also features a paint mixing station and an outdoor project centre, and is the retailer’s first to offer products from its SolarFast solar panel range. Sarah Taitt, chief property and services officer at Wickes, said: “We are thrilled to be opening a new Wickes store in Aberdeen. Our first Scottish location to open in over 10 years, the new store will offer residents of Aberdeen and the surrounding areas a wide range of home improvement products, services, and expert advice from our knowledgeable staff. We look forward to meeting our new customers”. Wickes last opened a store in Scotland in 2013. Last year, Wickes said it was “confident” in its pipeline for new stores in 2024.

Pop-up market at Leeds’ The Springs set to become permanent feature

3rd September 2024

A pop-up artisan market at The Springs retail and leisure centre in Thorpe Park, Leeds, is set to become a permanent feature. Leeds Local Market debuted in August and brought together 22 local traders to showcase their food offerings and artisanal gifts. Vendors included The Baking Banksy, Brutalist & Co, COOK, The Crafty Northerner, The Tru Soap Co, and the Yorkshire Pie Bakery, amongst others. The event was hosted by Yorkshire Urban Markets and saw a successful start to trading, encouraging The Springs to make the market a permanent fixture at the scheme. Rachel Vickers, senior commercial manager at Scarborough Group International, the developer and asset manager of The Springs and Thorpe Park Leeds, said: “As demonstrated through our seasonal events programme, we are committed to bringing in new and exciting attractions to The Springs on a regular basis.   “We are thrilled that the Leeds Local Market proved so popular for our visitors and that we were also able to support independent traders where some sold out of their wares in just a few hours. The event also boosted footfall for our existing stores where many reported increased trading.”

STACK unveils plans for Manchester scheme

3rd September 2024

STACK has unveiled the plans for its new entertainment and leisure hub in Manchester at the site of the former Hatch retail and leisure space. The venue is set to feature a mixture of street food vendors, bars, and live entertainment, housed in a two-storey shipping container complex. The proposed development – located below the Oxford Road flyover – has been designed with a central plaza surrounded by food vendors and bars. There will also be an entertainment stage with seating, two outward-facing retail units, and a dual-aspect coffee shop. Hatch had occupied the site since 2017 and provided a space for Manchester-based independent businesses to innovate and grow. However developer Bruntwood announced last September that the venue would be closing. Former occupiers of Hatch have been encouraged to apply for space at STACK Manchester, and have been given priority during the selection process. Neill Winch, chief executive of STACK, said: “We believe this site is the perfect fit for our concept, and we’re excited to bring our blend of street food, bars, and live entertainment to Manchester. “Subject to planning approval being granted, we are confident STACK Manchester will become a much-loved venue for local residents as well as a successful […]

Revolution Bars completes fundraising and restructuring plan

3rd September 2024

Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolucion de Cuba, and Peach Pubs brands, has completed its fundraising and restructuring plan. Under the plan, which was announced in April, the group is closing 18 sites and reducing rents at a further 14. Revolution will now operate 27 Revolution Bars, 15 Revolución de Cuba Bars, 22 Peach Pubs and one Founders & Co. site. The fundraising includes up to £12.5m from new and existing investors to support the restructure. The capital is expected to allow Revolution Bars to undertake a store refurbishment programme from the 2026 financial year, whilst also exploring site acquisition opportunities for its Peach and Revolucion de Cuba brands. This morning, the group admitted over 1.2bn new shares and has returned to trading on the London Stock Exchange. In March, the group confirmed that it was “exploring all the strategic options available to it”, including restructuring plans for part of the group or a potential sale. Then, in May, hospitality company Nightcap announced it had pulled out of a potential bid for Revolution Bars. The group had submitted a proposal which it said presented “an improved outcome for Revolution Bars’ shareholders”.
An Aldi store

Aldi in talks with No 10 as it looks to speed up store openings

3rd September 2024

Aldi has been in talks with No 10 regarding changes to planning reform, as the retailer looks to speed up new store openings. Speaking on LinkedIn, Aldi’s national real estate director George Brown said he had been to No 10 last week to discuss planning reform with the Prime Minister’s senior special advisor, Nick Williams. Obtaining planning permission for new Aldi stores can take over 12 months due to “under-resourcing” in local authorities, he said. However, Brown added the retailer would “happily invest” in the application process to help speed it up. He also argued that retail should be given more weighting in the decision-making process compared to other sectors such as general industrial and storage, classed as B2 and B8 respectively: “Yet unlike some traditional employment occupiers (such as B2 and B8) which may have far lower job density, retail is not given the same weighting in the decision making process. To unlock significant investment in the UK economy this needs to change”, Brown said. Aldi is set to invest over £550m into its store estate in 2024 alone. This investment includes plans to open new stores across the country, as well as invest into its existing locations and...

Bill’s lays out restaurant requirements following agent appointment

2nd September 2024

Bill’s has laid out its requirements for new sites, as the restaurant chain looks to expand on its 40-strong estate. The operator is seeking units with a minimum footprint of 3,000 sq ft with a preference for sites with outside seating. Bill’s is also seeking “prominent and beautiful” buildings, with extraction required at suitable locations. The chain’s priority list of locations includes: Central London London neighbourhoods: Other UK locations: This comes after Bill’s appointed Savills to advise on its nationwide expansion plans. The operator successfully trialed a new café and bar concept earlier this year in Newbury and St Albans, and has two new locations set to open later this year in Milton Keynes and Street, Somerset. Bill’s is also currently developing its pipeline for 2025 and beyond, including both its café and bar concept as well as its existing restaurant format.

Derbion to deliver Derby’s Eastern Gateway project

2nd September 2024

Derbion shopping centre has confirmed that work to transform a new gateway to Derby city centre will begin this month, after funding arrangements were approved by Derby City Council. The Eastern Gateway will create a new façade and urban garden, transforming the area opposite the bus station and the eastern entrance to Derbion. The project – which is expected to complete in the first half of 2025 – is being party-funded by the Government’s Future High Street fund. Beth McDonald, managing director at Derbion, said: “The Eastern Gateway project will create a welcoming new entrance to the city centre, transforming the environment and encouraging footfall and visitors by opening up the space and introducing an urban square. “We’re looking forward to getting underway with the development next month and seeing the positive difference that it makes for the city.”     Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for city centre, regeneration, strategy and policy at Derby City Council, added: “I’m thrilled that this project is moving ahead, marking another significant step in the revitalisation of Derby’s city centre. “By transforming this area, we’re not just enhancing the look and feel of the city, but also creating a […]

Mini golf experience swings into Dalton Park

2nd September 2024

Outlet shopping destination Dalton Park in Seaham is set to welcome mini golf concept The Hole in Wand this October. The concept’s arrival marks a step in the scheme’s expansion into the entertainment sector, with the venue looking to drive footfall to Dalton Park and increasing visitor engagement. The new venue will be a fourth UK location for the concept, which looks to deliver an immersive magic-themed experience. The Dalton Park site will also include a debut for the brand’s first-ever ‘Little Wizards’ experience – a space specifically designed for toddlers and young children. This expansion represents an opportunity for Dalton Park engage with the growing trend for experiential retail. With consumers increasingly seeking out destinations that offer more than just shopping, the scheme’s enhanced leisure offering is anticipated to boost visitor numbers, extend dwell times, and increase cross-shopping opportunities for the centre’s retail partners. Nicky Lovell, head of outlets and retail business development at Global Mutual, said: “There is a growing opportunity to include entertainment and leisure options at retail destinations. Retail outlets have the capacity to cater to the family day out model, which sees the offering of leisure, shopping and food and drink all under one roof, increasing dwell time […]

M&S to trial more takeaway food and drink to attract younger customers

2nd September 2024

Marks & Spencer is set to introduce more takeaway food and drink options at its cafés as it looks to attract more younger customers. The retailer is set to make its entire food menu at its cafés available for takeaway, The Telegraph has reported. M&S is also planning to train its kitchen staff to speed up their food preparation process and implement new technology to improve waiting times. The retailer recently opened cafés in Dundee and Leicester’s Fosse Park which M&S said had recorded “really encouraging performance”. This comes as the retailer looks to claw back ground against its high street rivals such as Pret A Manger and Costa Coffee. M&S told The Telegraph that it wants to “build on [its] position as one of the top high-street cafes”. M&S – which has over 300 cafés across the UK – is set to open a number of clothing-only stores as it sees an increase in fashion sales.

LEGO to open second store in Bristol

2nd September 2024

The LEGO Group is set to open its second store in Bristol at Cribbs Mall, joining the brand’s other location at Cabot Circus. Spanning 1,916 sq ft, the new LEGO store will be located adjacent to Polestar and H&M. The Cribbs Mall store – which will feature the toy brand’s signature ‘Pick a Brick Wall’ and ‘Build a Minifigure Tower’ – will offer a large range of LEGO products and give customers the opportunity to collect loyalty points to use in future purchases. Scott Linard, portfolio director at M&G Real Estate, said: “It is great to see such an iconic brand like the LEGO Store take space at Cribbs Mall and we expect their arrival to be very popular amongst our shoppers. The LEGO Store will sit alongside our vast array of leading UK and international brands which allows us to offer something for everyone here at Cribbs Mall. We look forward to working with the LEGO team on their amazing new space which will offer customers a truly immersive experience.” The new opening will bring the total number of LEGO stores in the UK to 20, with the store joining other locations such as Manchester’s Trafford Centre and Battersea Power Station […]

Hammerson to review agency partners at top retail destinations

30th August 2024

Hammerson is set to make a number of changes to its leasing advisers across most of its UK and Ireland portfolio, CoStar News has reported. This comes after the real estate investment trust (REIT) appointed JLL to take over property management services across its portfolio in 2023. At Brent Cross Shopping Centre in London, which Hammerson jointly owns with Standard Life Investments, the REIT is understood to have appointed Cushman & Wakefield and BGP. Cushman & Wakefield and Lunson Mitchenall had been the retained agents. In Birmingham, where Hammerson owns the Bullring & Grand Central scheme in conjunction with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the group is expected to appoint BWD, JLL, and BGP as its advisers. BWD is currently the agent at Grand Central. At Bristol’s Cabot Circus the REIT is understood to have appointed JLL and Lunson Mitchenall as its advisers, with the same advisers expected to be appointed at Southampton’s Westquay Mall. Hammerson is understood to be picking advisers at Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin – which it jointly owns with Allianz Real Estate – as well as The Ironworks, The Ilac Centre, and Swords Pavilions, also all based in Dublin. Other UK assets where Hammerson is...