The North Face to make central Manchester debut at the Arndale

The North Face is set to make its debut in Manchester city centre after signing a 10-year lease for the Manchester Arndale Shopping Centre.

The outdoor clothing and equipment retailer will take a 3,630 sq ft unit on New Cannon Street, building on its existing presence in the North West with stores in Liverpool and Trafford.

The North Face will join a number of fashion brands which have recently opened at Manchester Arndale, including Moss, Gilly Hicks, Hollister, Kurt Geiger, Carvela, and Tommy Jeans.

Since the start of the year, Nike, Manchester City, Blue Banana, Be More Geek, Oseyo, Black Sheep Coffee, and Sunglass Hut have all signed at the centre, bringing its retail occupancy to around 95%.

Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “We are delighted that The North Face has become the latest big name brand to sign a long-term letting at Manchester Arndale. Our leasing activity since the pandemic has seen us welcome a truly diverse mix of international and local businesses, as well as a wide variety of retail, leisure, and F&B brands, to ensure there is something for everyone visiting Manchester Arndale.

“Through this approach, footfall has continued to strengthen and demand for well-placed units has remained, so high that we are approaching 100% occupancy, allowing us to avoid the struggles faced by other retail centres, and cement our position as the North West’s leading retail destination.”

M&G Real Estate and Global Mutual act as joint asset managers of Manchester Arndale, whilst Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners are the scheme’s retained letting agents. S. Kershaw and Sons and Ellis Brigham acted on behalf of The North Face.