Nike rises up at Manchester Arndale

International sportswear brand Nike has agreed to join Manchester Arndale, opening in the last remaining space of the former Topshop unit.

Taking a two-storey 13,418 unit, the brand will be opening its digitally-led Nike Rise concept later this year.

The Nike Rise store concept aims to empower athletes to make sport a daily habit through the aid of digital services.

Nike’s entrance into the city centre follows the arrival of Sports Direct, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, and Tommy Jeans at Manchester Arndale.

Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “It is testament to the popularity of Manchester Arndale that Nike has selected the centre for its first Rise store in Manchester. The city is home to two of the world’s most famous sports team and Nike’s arrival will be a great attraction for sport lovers across Manchester and the North West.

“The letting to Nike also means that the entire space vacated by Topshop has now been filled, following the lettings to Clarks and Gilly Hicks last year. This justifies the Manchester Arndale team’s decision to split the space and create three new high-quality units in a prime location.”

M&G Real Estate and Global Mutual are joint asset managers of Manchester Arndale. Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners are the centre’s retained letting agents.