The North East’s two leading shopping centres have unveiled a bumper number of new store openings, store expansions and refurbishments in time for Christmas shoppers.
Gateshead’s prime leisure and retail complex Metrocentre has already announced the arrival of new drinking and dining names in recent weeks, including Tapas Revolution. Now the centre has unveiled three brand new openings, two store relocations and two big refurbishments, all within the month of November.
To join its brand-new Hobbs, Jo Malone and Tapas Revolution, footwear giants Schuh and Schuh kids have relocated and upsized into two brand new standalone units at the end of the Red Mall. The spacious new stores have allowed the retailers to ramp up their product ranges and provide an enhanced shopping experience.
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Meanwhile in the lower Green Mall jewellery retailers H Samuel and Swarovski, have also reopened their doors on two refurbished stores, in time for the busy Christmas shopping period.
Ben Cox of Sovereign Centros, senior asset manager for Metrocentre, said: “We are continually looking to refresh our brand line-up to create the best retail and leisure experiences for our visitors. The substantial investment by these brands to enhance and upgrade their stores is testament to the strength of the centre.
“We’ve got more new announcements to make before the year is out which we look forward to sharing shortly.”
Neil Partington, Schuh retail director, said: “We are delighted that our relocation within Metrocentre will provide a seamless shopping experience to our customers in the North East, in an environment that brings the individualism of schuh to life.
“While adapting to changes within the market, and with a focus on our Gen Z shoppers, the new Schuh stores will provide a vibrant home for our ever-growing footwear offering; moving away from traditional gendered categorisation and presenting each collection by brand. The adults store will align with our new 2020 store design concept, along with a dedicated kids store, which is an exciting growth opportunity for both Schuh and Metrocentre.”
Signet UK and Ireland managing director Neil Old added: “I am very excited about the opening of our new H. Samuel store. We’ve come a long way since Harriet Samuel opened her first store in 1890, but with her customer-focused approach and appreciation of the value of jewellery, we think she’d approve.”
Meanwhile Newcastle’s Eldon Square is toasting a successful year with 15 new store openings, including the likes of Victoria’s Secret, Swatch and Mango. Eldon Square bosses said new restaurant additions are also on their way as they announced increased footfall, up quarter-on-quarter, with the malls gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels of visitors and activity against a tough economic backdrop.
Latest store openings include lingerie retailer Bravissimo, premium footwear and apparel supplier Kick Game and Spanish fashion firm Mango, who picked Eldon Square as one of three UK store bases this year.
The Eldon Square Pop-Up Shop in collaboration with Barker Proudlove and Catella APAM is also open on Eldon Way, alongside Calendar Club, Sports Traider, an established charity shop specialising in sports kits and equipment, and Angel Telecoms. All-you-can-eat world buffet restaurant Cosmo is now open on Newgate Street and George’s Fish Shack is also now open in Grey’s Quarter.
Since taking over the asset management of Eldon Square in October 2020, Catella APAM said it has boosted the centre’s stability with nearly 30 new lettings and 40 lease renewals completed in two years. Lettings include H&M, Austen & Blake, Bagel Factory, iSmash, Molton Brown, The Real Greek, The Bake, Swatch and Ramsdens Therapi.
Bernice Nesham of Catella APAM added: “We’re delighted to finish this year on such a high note. Welcoming a number of high-profile retailers, as well as independent businesses to our Centre in combination with a growing footfall is the greatest testament to the work that we’ve been doing at the centre. Despite the rise in online shopping, we have seen significant footfall increases in Eldon Square, and retailers are keen to get in on the action and become part of this vibrant shopping centre.
“These new openings are fantastic news, not just for Eldon Square, but for our entire region, as even with the current difficulties the retail industry is facing, we are still securing commercial interest and development.”
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