Rowbots, a new rowing-driven fitness concept endorsed by joint partner and investor, Gareth Bale, is to launch its debut site this summer. The brand will open at 42 Eastcastle Street in Fitzrovia, as secured by Shelley Sandzer. 

Grosvenor Europe has announced that Junkyard Golf Club, the leading crazy golf concept, has officially opened its 17,000 sq ft site in Liverpool ONE.

Acting on behalf of the brand, leading specialist UK leisure property agency, Shelley Sandzer, has secured an additional Central London site for Mexican fast-food restaurant chain, Tortilla. Due to open in the spring, the new site is located at 1 The Cut, directly opposite Southwark Underground Station.

Sloane Stanley has today announced phase one of the opening for popular chic cake and confectionary brand, Peggy Porschen, at 219 King’s Road. Boasting a prime corner position, the 2,400 sq ft Parlour marks the second site for the brand, after their debut in nearby Belgravia in 2010. 

Sloane Stanley has today announced that authentic Italian gelato brand, Badiani, has signed for a 1,457 sq ft space on Fulham Road, and will offer artisan ice-cream in the heart of Chelsea. The brand is due to open their store in April.

Twenty years ago today, the Evening Standard described Bluewater as ‘the future of shopping’. Whilst much has changed in retail, leisure and experience since that endorsement, Bluewater remains very relevant and much in demand amongst brands and guests alike.

This article first appeared on Property Week online and in print on March 15, 2019

Interview with Simon Taylor, Property Director at The Mercers’ Company

Liverpool ONE will be transported back millions of years – via the latest technology – when an augmented dinosaur hunt launches on 29 March for ten weeks. 

The Cambridge Satchel Company has officially opened the doors to its newest store at 37 Neal Street, marking the British brand’s return to Shaftesbury’s Seven Dials, in the heart of the West End. 

The Mercers’ Company has announced that founders of modern kebab house, Maison Bab, have unveiled their new restaurant – Kebab Queen – at 4 Mercer Walk. 

Popular German eatery Herman Ze German is to open its first UK site outside of London at Grand Central, Birmingham. Due to open on April 1st 2019, the brand will be located next to Tortilla within Birmingham’s iconic Bullring Estate, which comprises Bullring & Grand Central, and Link Street. 

Sloane Stanley has today announced that luxury sofa and bespoke furniture specialists, The Sofa & Chair Company, has opened an exclusive pop-up at 320 King’s Road. The pop-up calls upon established retail partners, from the King’s Road, to create new bespoke showrooms for visitors.

Shelley Sandzer, the leading specialist UK leisure property agency, has acted on behalf of the brand in a deal which will see Neapolitan sourdough pizza brand, Franco Manca, secure its next London location at 29/31 Greenwich Church Street, due to open in April.

Shaftesbury has announced Seven Dials is set to host a week-long celebration for International Women’s Day in March, in support of the West End destination’s overarching 2019 theme of #Balanceforbetter. A wide variety of initiatives, including a dedicated hub and collaboration with Scarlett Curtis - feminist activist and author - will take place, alongside activations by numerous brands in the location.  

A new independent American-Italian restaurant, Smoke and Dough, is to open its first location in the UK on Liverpool ONE’s Terrace, overlooking Chavasse Park.  The 7,000 sq ft venue will include 150 covers and feature a late-night bar of 50 covers with an exclusive outdoor seating area.

Hermes Investment Management, the £33.5 billion fund manager, has announced that the Grade A Ascent 3 building at Farnborough Aerospace Centre has secured Discover Financial Services, a leading direct banking and payments services company, which is taking almost 46,000 sq ft for its new UK head office.

LabTech, owner of Camden Market, has unveiled plans for the redevelopment of Buck Street Market, due to launch in Summer 2019.  Comprising 52 recycled shipping containers, Buck Street, will expand on Camden’s retail and dining offer for local visitors.

The St David’s Partnership, owners of St David’s in Cardiff, one of the UK’s premier retail and leisure destinations, has announced a newly upsized store for Danish shoe retailer, ECCO. The brand has moved to a new store on Upper Grand Arcade near John Lewis.

One of Edinburgh’s favourite pizza brands, @pizza, has officially opened its first restaurant in England, at Grand Central, Birmingham. The restaurant is @pizza’s second in its estate.

Lendlease and Invesco Real Estate, the global real estate investment manager, have announced that Skechers, the global lifestyle and performance footwear brand, has signed for a brand-new store at Queensgate in Peterborough.