centre:mk, one of the top 10 shopping centres in the UK, is bucking the nationwide trend of declining footfall, and has reported that the centre’s footfall is up +2.5% YOY.

We wish everyone – our clients, journalist contacts and friends of Aver – a very successful 2020.

Seven Dials has unveiled an array of creative and festive retail storefront displays for Christmas, tying in with the destination’s wider 2019 ‘Starry Night’ theme, which incorporates a light installation in aid of homelessness charity Shelter.

Boutique travel specialist, Virgin Holidays, has officially launched its largest UK ‘v-room’ concept store at Liverpool ONE, managed by Grosvenor Europe.

St David’s, one of the UK’s premier retail and leisure destinations, has announced the signing of two locally-based businesses for pop-up stores, just in time for Christmas.

Hammerson has announced that the Norwegian inspired fish and seafood specialists North Fish is to open its first UK restaurant in its flagship destination Bullring, in Birmingham, early next year. 

ICON Outlet at The O2, the 210,000 sq ft premium urban outlet developed by AEG and Crosstree Real Estate Partners, has announced a successful first year of trading and its strongest six-week performance yet. 

Premium burger brand Five Guys has officially launched its 100th UK restaurant, at 4 St Paul’s Churchyard opposite the iconic cathedral.

Chinatown London is a destination of choice for international technology brands.  Earlier this year Wanyoo opened their first European store, and now Shaftesbury has welcomed Razer, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, who opened their European debut store on Saturday 14 December.

Wild Tavern, a brand new Italian restaurant, has launched its debut site in the heart of Chelsea. The 3,600 sq ft eatery at 2 Elystan Street was secured by leading specialist UK leisure property agency, Shelley Sandzer.

Following a strong year for its retail leasing strategy, Grosvenor Europe has officially announced the launch of Kate Spade New York’s pop-up store and Mint Velvet’s new boutique at Liverpool ONE.

RPMI Railpen (Railpen) has announced the signing of three new supermarkets to its property portfolio: two Lidl stores, located in North West London and Kent, and an Aldi store in Scunthorpe. The trio of new supermarkets total over 59,000 sq ft (5,482 sq m) in retail space.

Cineworld, the UK’s leading cinema chain, has officially launched its state-of-the-art 13-screen multiplex experience at Time Square, the new £142 million development in Warrington.

Celebrating the end of a successful year of Arts, Sloane Stanley has announced the latest street art installation just in time for Christmas. The festive scene is the seventh to appear on the King’s Road this year, and features a forest scene with skating rink alongside a warming winter hearth by artist Antonio Rodrigues Jnr.

Silverburn has recently welcomed a new BOSS store, further expanding the brand’s UK store portfolio.

Following a strong year of brand signings and openings, Shaftesbury has officially launched a further three international fashion and accessory retailers in Seven Dials: Indian leatherwear label Kompanero, and Scandinavian brands Nudie Jeans and Rains.

Opening in time to benefit from centre:mk’s significant Christmas trading period, during which footfall is anticipated to exceed seven million visits, Lush, the handmade bath art and cosmetics brand, has launched a 2,793 sq ft store in centre:mk this week. The vegetarian, vegan and cruelty-free retailer has relocated and doubled in size from Intu Milton Keynes to create the new centre:mk experience-led store. 

RPMI Railpen (Railpen) has officially announced the launch of global sports retailers adidas and Reebok at its newly re-branded asset, Caledonia Park, Scotland’s premier designer village.  The news coincides with the regional outlet destination experiencing its best week of sales performance on record.

A range of festive activities have begun at Elephant Park in south London where a four-week pop-up titled ‘Merry Elephant’ is transforming the recently opened Sayer Street and Deacon Street into a mini Winter Wonderland, at the £2.3 billion regeneration project led by Lendlease and Southwark Council. 

Independent Italian restaurant, Figo, has officially launched at International Quarter London (IQL), the £2.4 billion joint venture development between Lendlease and LCR.