Footasylum goes up a size at Metrocentre

Streetwear retailer Footasylum is set to upsize its existing store at Metrocentre, increasing its presence at the Gateshead scheme by 25%.

The retailer will take a 12,375 sq ft unit, enabling it to stock a larger range of streetwear, sportswear, and footwear. It will join other national retailers on the scheme’s Lower Red Mall such as Flannels, Zara, and River Island.

The upsizing of Footasylum comes as a number of other brands also choose to invest in their Metrocentre stores. This includes eyewear retailer, Sunglass Hut, which has signed to open a 2,457 sq ft unit on the Lower Red Mall, after previously trading from a kiosk. Meanwhile, menswear brand Jack & Jones has recently relocated into a 1,733 sq ft store on Upper Red Mall.

Ben Cox, director at scheme asset manager Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said: “Last year 17 of our tenants upsized or invested in existing stores, and this year we already have EE, Primark, Clarks, Victoria’s Secret and now Footasylum and Jack & Jones on that list. Recent leasing activity shines a light on how Metrocentre continues to be a location that is highly sought after, with major brands choosing to invest here. Footasylum is the latest in a long line of household name brands to commit to a new flagship store at Metrocentre, joining some exciting new entrants to Red Mall.”

The news follows the recent announcement that outdoor equipment and clothing retailer GO Outdoors has opened its first store in the region within a shopping centre environment at Metrocentre.