Retail Property Requirements

Savills to advise The Gym Group on expansion as it targets 50 sites in three years

26th April 2024

The Gym Group has appointed Savills to advise on its expansion plans, as the operator plans to open 50 new sites over the next three years. Targeting urban areas with dense residential populations, The Gym Group is seeking highly visible locations with easy parking access or within close proximity to transport links. Ideal sites are between 10,000 and 20,000 sq ft over a maximum of two floors. Analysis from PwC found that there is potential within the UK for between 600 and 800 additional gym sites in the low-cost segment. The Gym Group was the first gym operator to measure the social value it generates created through regular exercise. It is also the world’s first fitness operator to have its net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Andy Hall, joint head of Out of Town Retail at Savills, said: “We are delighted to be working with The Gym Group on their growth strategy. As the only national property consultancy with retail and leisure teams based across the UK, we are excellently positioned to deliver a plethora of exciting opportunities for The Gym Group as it continues to expand its offer and reach to more communities around the UK.” Will […]

Costa Coffee lays out requirements in nationwide expansion drive

24th April 2024

Costa Coffee is targeting drive-through, retail park, high street, and travel locations across the UK as it continues to expand. The coffee shop operator is targeting drive-through sites at out-of-town and edge-of-town roadside locations adjacent to food stores, retail warehousing, and leisure operators. Ideal drive-through sites will be on main arterial routes with a minimum traffic flow of 15,000 vehicles per day. The operator requires leasehold buildings between 1,250 sq ft to 2,200 sq ft in size with dedicated or shared car parking. Building conversions will be considered. Costa is also targeting retail park units between 1,500 sq ft and 2,000 sq ft in size, with external seating and car parking in close proximity. The chain will consider freestanding or in-line units. The operator is seeking in-town units in Scotland, the South West, the Midlands, and in Wales. Costa is looking for units ranging in 1,300 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft on high streets and in shopping centres, universities, hospitals, and leisure spaces. The chain is also expanding its presence within travel locations, such as transport hubs and train stations. Costa is looking for units at least 125 sq ft in size in areas with significant footfall. Standard retail...

Aldi unveils wish list of priority London locations

21st March 2024

Aldi has revealed its list of priority locations in London where it is looking to open new stores. The supermarket retailer recently announced its long-term plan to operate 1,500 stores across the UK, with a particular interest in locations within the M25 due to strong demand. As part of a £500m investment to increase its presence in London, Aldi is aiming to open a further 100 stores within the M25. Priority locations include: Aldi is offering a finder’s fee for property agents, who recommend a previously unknown site, of 1.5% of a freehold price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leasehold sites. The retailer is on the hunt for sites at least in size 20,000 sq ft for its standard stores, with around 100 dedicated parking spaces and preferably on a main road with good access and visibility. Aldi is also looking for smaller sites to accommodate its Aldi Local format, which are around 5,000 sq ft in size. Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said: “We want to make high quality, affordable food accessible to all, but there are still many areas in the capital that don’t have access to an Aldi […]

Hobbycraft lays out requirements as it targets seven new openings in 2025

18th March 2024

Hobbycraft has laid out its criteria for new stores, as it looks to continue expanding in 2024 and through to next year. The arts and crafts retailer – which operates 120 stores in the UK – is set to open five new stores this year and is targeting a further seven in 2025. Hobbycraft is looking for Class E units with a ground floor area of between 5,000 and 10,000 sq ft, either on retail parks or as standalone units with car parking. Target locations include: Park Place Retail has been retained by Hobbycraft to find suitable locations.

All-day club house concept hungry for more London sites

1st March 2024

An all-day community club house concept is on the hunt for new sites in London as it looks to open five sites in the capital over the next three years. Bubba Oasis currently operates two venues in Clapham and Islington, offering co-working space, all-day dining, late-night events, and private function spaces. Describing itself as an “affordable club house with an authentic lifestyle brand”, Bubba Oasis looks to tap into the Generation Z market, creating a work-friendly environment, a community-focused brand, and offering a wide array of events, all at a reasonable price. Events which take place at Bubba Oasis’ existing club venues include supper clubs, live music sessions, fashion pop-ups, art installations, corporate events, and parties. The concept’s management team has experience in the hospitality industry, having collectively launched over 60 venues across the UK. The founder and CEO, Rob Huysinga, co-founded ice cream experience Pan-n-Ice at 19, was a finalist in the 2022 Great British Entrepreneur of the Year, and was awarded the 30 Under 30 Restaurant & Marketeer Innovator of the Year award. Bubba Oasis’ co-founder and COO Moe Sahrie and partner and event director Johnny Veyret both have experience at Joe & the Juice, having worked as […]

All-day club house concept hungry for more London sites

1st March 2024

Italian restaurant concept seeks new London locations

25th January 2024

Noci, the Various Eateries-owned Italian restaurant concept, is seeking new locations within London. The concept, which specialises in pasta dishes, Sicilian street food-inspired snacks, and cocktails, opened its first restaurant in Islington in 2022, with openings in Battersea Power Station and Shoreditch following in 2023. Noci has also committed to a site in Richmond. Noci has been nominated at both Peach and MCA awards as one of the country’s best emerging brands. The concept is now seeking sites around 3,000 sq ft with external seating in areas of the capital with busy footfall. Priority locations include: Matt Porter of Teague & Capital has been appointed to find suitable locations.

Just for Pets secures second new concept site in expansion push

11th January 2024

Just for Pets has secured a second site for its DOG concept, as the pet retailer targets a number of new stores. Taking a former Barclays bank building, Just for Pets has opened in the historic Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold. The 1,300 sq ft unit has been taken on a 10-year lease at £46,000 per annum. Sitting between two Grade-II listed properties, the Georgian revival building is surrounded by a mixture of local businesses and more well known brands, including Clarendon Fine Art, Scotts of Stow, D’Ambrosi Fine Foods, Cotswold Cheese Company and Rohan. DOG by Just for Pets focuses on canine health and wellbeing, offering high-end products from brands such as Barbour, Le Chameau, Oxfordshire-based Cocopup and George Barclay beds, as well as natural treats and high meat foods. The opening follows the debut of the DOG by Just for Pets concept in June 2023 in Cirencester. The retailer is now looking to open a further five DOG stores, and is also seeking larger premises to accommodate more Just for Pets sites. Carter Jonas – which acted for Just for Pets on the two DOG openings – has been appointed to spearhead the retailer’s expansion. Ideal sites will be […]

Cardiff-based wrap company seeks South West expansion

9th January 2024

Cardiff-based food-to-go company Magic Wrap is looking to expand, targeting two new sites across Wales and the South West in 2024. Founded in 2008 by Ed and Claire Jones, Magic Wrap was created with an objective to provide a healthier alternative for on-the-go customers, in contrast to traditionally high-fat, high-carb, and high-calorie options. The operator – which currently has two locations in Cardiff’s Queen Street and Mermaid Bay – is now looking to Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham, Exeter, Gloucester, and Reading to open its next sites. Magic Wrap will also consider opening further sites in Cardiff if they are close to the train station. Ideal sites will have a minimum size of 500 sq ft on the ground floor, and will be located in high street locations with heavy footfall. The operator has a preference for units in close proximity to large offices and populated workplaces. Outdoor seating is desirable. Owen Cahill of EJ Hales has been appointed to find suitable locations.

Hotel operator seeks West End location

8th January 2024

A hotel operator is seeking locations in London’s West End to open a new site. Ideal locations will be at least 30,000 sq ft in size with a preference for locations ranging between 50,000 and 100,000 sq ft. The operator is looking for existing hotel buildings, or site with other uses such as offices which are suitable for conversion. Freehold leases are preferred, however the operator will consider long lease or management contract arrangements. Richard Wassell of Twentyretail has been appointed to find suitable locations.

New Weird Fish CEO plans international expansion

18th December 2023

In a move to accelerate its growth, Weird Fish has appointed David Butler as its new CEO. Butler brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Crew Clothing and Ecco and is poised to replicate his success at these companies, where he doubled turnover to more than £120m and expanded retail footprints by 30%. The fashion brand is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan, aiming to enhance its presence both domestically and internationally. This expansion will be driven by a combination of store growth through concessions, shop openings, and partnerships. Currently operating 26 stores across the UK and boasting a network of 300 stockists, including prominent retailers like Next and John Lewis, Weird Fish possesses a solid foundation for further expansion. “Weird Fish is a well-established and well-regarded business that has never realised its full potential,” Butler asserted, emphasizing the brand’s untapped growth opportunities. “We are committed to driving aggressively through store expansion and partnerships,” he added, outlining his ambitious growth strategy.

Aldi builds real estate team as it targets 500 new stores

13th December 2023

Aldi has formed a new national real estate team as it looks to hit its target of 500 new stores. The new team – headed up by the retailer’s managing director of real estate, Jonathon Neale – is being aided by Colliers as national advisers. The supermarket retailer announced long-term plans earlier this year to operate 1,500 UK stores and to increase its distribution network capabilities. Jonathan Neale said: “This year we opened our landmark 1,000th store and we have the most ambitious expansion plans of any major supermarket. Centralising our real estate team and making it easier for the real estate sector to deal with Aldi is the first step in accelerating progress towards our goal of opening a further 500 new stores. We have clear, consistent requirements and want to partner with land-owners, landlords and developers. “Listening to the sector, we know that our new national team will make it easier for people to work with us. We are now set up to have the kind of agility needed to find and deliver the sites and schemes that will help us to bring our amazing quality and unbeatable value to every town and community in the country.” Aldi is...