Retail Property Requirements

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 […]

Greek-inspired restaurant Vezené seeks London location

1st December 2023

Greek-inspired restaurant Vezené is seeking units in London as it looks to open its first UK location. With sites in Greece’s Athens and Santorini, Vezené offers a menu featuring local seafood, sustainable meats, and Greek wines and cocktails. The concept’s target audience includes local Londoners, international expats, and visitors from around the UK and overseas. Vezené is seeking London locations which can be split across multiple areas, with the ground floor able to benefit from an open kitchen, banquette seating, and natural lighting. A lower floor will provide a more intimate and moodier setting, with a bar area and private dining options. The concept is part of Athens-based Green Garlic Management, which is headed up by renowned chef Ari Vezené. The group also operates Japanese fast-casual concept Ekiben Kitchen, and Japanese-inspired bar and grill Birdman, which is also seeking a London debut. Richard Wassell of twentyretail has been appointed to find suitable locations.

Japanese bar and grill concept Birdman eyes London for UK debut

30th November 2023

Japanese bar and grill concept Birdman is looking for suitable locations in Central London as it eyes its debut in the UK. Currently based in Athens, Greece, Birdman looks to pay homage to late-night Tokyo eateries and jazz bars, with a Japanese-inspired menu and drinks set to the backdrop of Hi-Fi Analogue music. The concept’s food menu includes the likes of gyozas, ribs, steaks, and various meats such as beef, chicken, duck, and seafood. Drinks on offer at Birdman include craft beers, Japanese whiskeys, and natural wines. As the concept looks to expand into the UK, Birdman is seeking units in excess of 700 sq ft in Central London to make its debut. Birdman is part of Green Garlic Management, a fast growing hospitality group based in Athens. Founded in 2008 by Ari Vezené, the group also operates Greek bistro concept Vezene and fast-casual Japanese concept Ekiben Kitchen. Richard Wassell of twentyretail has been appointed to find suitable locations.

Jollyes targeting retail parks in expansion drive

23rd November 2023

Jollyes is targeting retail parks as part of its continued expansion, as the retailer aims to open between 20 and 25 new stores in 2024. The pet retailer’s ideal units range between 5,000 and 7,000 sq ft in size at ground floor, located at retail parks or roadside locations across the UK. So far in 2023, Jollyes has opened 14 stores in the following locations: Jollyes has appointed Tim Hornor, Karl Norman and Sophie Wilson at Edgerley Simpson Howe to help find suitable locations to support its expansion plans.

M&S eyes London Foodhall sites as it continues expansion

21st November 2023

M&S is looking for more locations in Central and Greater London as it looks to open more Foodhall sites. The retailer is on the hunt for prominent units with a gross internal area of between 6,000 and 25,000 sq ft with good access to the public transportation network. M&S is considering both new builds or conversions, as well as freehold or leasehold units. Ideal units will have dedicated or nearby parking, which M&S says is a necessity in Zones 4-6. This London expansion comes as M&S looks to have an estate with 400 food stores by the 2028 financial year. David Justice, Howard Quigley, and Henry Foreman of FMX have been appointed to find suitable locations.

Gail’s looks to expand

7th November 2023

Gail’s has laid the requirements for its new stores as the artisanal bakery chain continues to expand. The operator is seeking units around 1,400 sq ft in size in any location in which it is not currently represented. Corner units with outdoor seating are preferred, but not essential. Gail’s – which first opened in Hampstead in 2005 – now operates in over 120 locations, predominantly in the South East. Recent openings include in Knutsford and Witney. Stephen Fixman of Forty Group has been appointed to find suitable locations in London, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire, East Sussex, and West Sussex. Four & Co’s Gareth Storer has been appointed for the Manchester, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hetfordshire, and Bedfordshire regions.

Candle bar concept looks to sniff out Brighton location

3rd November 2023

Paddywax is looking for a suitable location in Brighton to open its ‘Candle Bar’ concept. The experiential retail stores allow customers to shop the candle brand’s curated collections, or create their own custom candle. Customers are welcome to daily one-hour workshop classes, enabling them to learn the art of candle making and using a range of different vessels and scents. The workshops are designed with events such as birthdays, hen dos, and team building days in mind. The operator is now seeking suitable units in Brighton between 1,000 sq ft and 2,000 sq ft in size for workshop and retail space. Ideal sites will be in close proximity to restaurants or other similar activity-oriented businesses. Preferred units will also have nearby parking. The brand’s target demographic is women between the ages of 20 and 60, in areas with a university or college population nearby. In the UK, Paddywax currently operates a site in Bath with one under offer in Edinburgh. The brand is part of US-based Designworks Collective, with its product line featured in American retail stores including Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom. Anna Hansen of Edinburgh-based commercial property consultants Orinsen has been appointed to find suitable locations.

Expanding padel operator looking for the perfect match

20th October 2023

A leading Padel operator is on the expansion trail, as it looks to serve up the fast-growing sport to more locations across the UK. Rocket Padel is looking to open in cities with a minimum population of 100,000 people, preferably in areas with good public transport and parking. The operator has a requirement for units no smaller than 20,000 sq ft, with a height clearance of at least 25 ft. Rocket Padel – which claims to be the UK’s leading indoor padel operator – expects to have five trading sites nationwide by the end of 2024. It has previously converted a 55,000 sq ft+ industrial unit in Bristol into a 14-court venue, and opened a pop-up site in Battersea Power Station earlier this year. Rocket Padel has secured an additional site in East London, and has more under offer in the capital. It said it will be opening four venues in the London area between 2023 and 2024. The operator describes itself as having a scalable business with a highly profitable business model. It also has an in-house property and project management team. Caroline Hughes and Matt McCue of Savills have been appointed to find suitable locations.

Independent coffee brand seeks Edinburgh and Manchester cafés

19th October 2023

Independent coffee chain Origin is looking to open new cafés in Edinburgh and Manchester, as it aims to become one of the leading coffee roasters in the UK and Europe. Founded in 2004, the operator currently has six retail sites across London and Bristol, as well as a roastery and wholesale business. As well as specialty coffee, the chain also offers food in the form of a pastry-led menu. Origin is now seeking high volume sites in Edinburgh and Manchester with extra first floor or basement space for office and education workspaces. Ideal locations for the chain will be trendy neighbourhoods which replicate its Shoreditch customer profile with a focus on office worker location. Origin is looking for units ranging between 500 sq ft and 1,500 sq ft in size, with enough space for a coffee shop to the front and a training area to the rear. Orinsen’s Anna Hansen has been appointed to find suitable locations for the operator.