Merry Hill is celebrating a landmark year for tenant commitments, with 25 deals completed in 2024, representing 110,000 sq ft of space at the top 10 UK retail and leisure destination. Renewals formed over half of these, underscoring Merry Hill’s performance, where leading brands succeed and want to stay long-term.

RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has been appointed on two projects in Bristol, valued at a combined £35m. RED’s South West division will carry out the work, including a prominent, £20m student accommodation scheme and the South West’s biggest façade remediation project.

Grosvenor has announced that UNIQLO, the internationally acclaimed fashion brand, is to make its city debut at Liverpool ONE, taking a significant 25,000 sq ft of space. The Japanese retailer is set to open early next year alongside Paradise Street’s line-up of flagship stores.

Lendlease has announced that Qube, the world’s first studio membership for music makers and content creators, has selected Elephant Park for its fourth location across London and first in Zone One.

CBRE Investment Management has announced Oliver Bonas, the independent British lifestyle store, has signed at the Ashley Centre, Epsom’s premier shopping destination. ProCook, the specialist kitchenware brand, has also recently been able to call the destination home, with both retailers driving forward the landlord’s aspirational leasing strategy. 

The Metrocentre Partnership has announced the signing of two iconic Newcastle-born institutions at top 5 super regional mall, Metrocentre. Greggs and Newcastle United are set to open in Upper Town Square later this year, underscoring the destination’s commitment to working with local hero businesses and bringing forward the latest store formats to continue to drive footfall.

Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme, has been granted consent by Oxford City Council to redevelop Eastpoint Business Park in the city to create a 200,000 sq ft market-defining life sciences campus.

DTZ Investors has announced the opening of Spider Box, a cutting-edge social entertainment venue at Manchester’s renowned leisure and entertainment destination, Printworks.

Peel Retail & Leisure has announced that attainable-luxury fashion brand, Reiss, has opened its first-ever outlet in the South-West at Gloucester Quays.

Grosvenor has announced that fashion retail group, TFG London, has committed to its largest store yet by signing for 12,000 sq ft at Liverpool ONE. Owner of Hobbs, Phase Eight, Whistles, and homeware retailer Inside Story, TFG London is to open its multi-brand flagship store in a gateway location on South John Street next spring.

Stärka, the innovative leisure real estate advisory business, has been appointed as sole agents by Padel Social Club, the social padel concept, as it looks to expand its presence nationwide.    

Health and beauty transactions at Bullring & Grand Central have jumped 26 per cent year-on-year, as Hammerson continues to strengthen its Birmingham city centre destination with best-in-class beauty and wellbeing brands including regional first, PURESEOUL which opens today (Friday 11th Oct).

Merry Hill has welcomed lifestyle, technology, and home appliance retailer, Harvey Norman, which has opened its 57,000 sq ft flagship store. The new space is the retail giant’s first location in England.

Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme, has announced that Under Armour, the leading global sports apparel brand, has opened its biggest outlet store in Scotland at Caledonia Park. 

Merry Hill has announced that renowned restaurant brand Lounges, managed by award winning hospitality business Loungers, is set to join the destination in January 2025 with the opening of Toledo Lounge.

Last weekend, centre:mk hosted the UK’s largest fashion and beauty indoor event, welcoming over 113,000 visitors across the two-day period. Located at Middleton Hall, centre:mk’s Fashion Weekend featured 80 brands across 40 of the destination’s retailers, enabling visitors to see the latest trends across fashion, health, and beauty.

The O2, the world’s most popular live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination, has announced Activate, the immersive and interactive game concept, will make its highly anticipated UK debut at the destination this winter. This coincides with The O2 experiencing significant growth in its leisure offer in 2024, bolstered by record-breaking performance for the category and a number of new leisure openings, including Padel Social Club, and the upcoming arrival of Clip ‘n Climb next week.

Hammerson is pleased to announce that YouTube sensation, The Sidemen, have selected Bullring & Grand Central for their first ever SDMN Clothing store in the Midlands and second-ever physical store. Opening on Friday 4th October, the new store underpins a wider strategy by Hammerson to diversify its occupier mix by introducing young and exciting concepts which complement the strength of the international brands on offer.

Bakery and café concept, GAIL’s, has opened on Elephant Park’s casual dining zone on Sayer Street. Joining Elephant Park’s thriving Zone One London neighbourhood, GAIL’s has located in a prominent 1,740 square foot unit on the corner of Sayer Street and Deacon Street, which was formerly occupied by Bobo Social.

Shaftesbury Capital has announced that a brand-new light scheme will be coming to Carnaby Street this Christmas, including a first-of-its-kind approach for lights in London. Aligning with Soho’s reputation as a destination that champions creativity, innovation, and pioneering concepts, ‘Into the Light’ will also spark a more sustainable approach to the festive period.