Metrocentre in Gateshead has announced a wave of new investment, as four well-known brands commit to revitalising and upgrading their presence within the shopping destination’s Platinum and Green Malls. Boots, the health and beauty giant, has led the charge with a significant refurbishment of its existing 40,000 sq ft unit in the Green Mall. A tenant for nearly four decades, Boots has modernised its store to enhance accessibility to both its product range and opticians’ services. In the Platinum Mall, Clintons has completed a major store refit, unveiling a new retail concept that includes a wider selection of gifts and party supplies, complementing its established greetings card offering. Fellow Platinum Mall occupant and tour operator Kuoni has also invested in its space, installing a sleek new digital window display and reconfiguring the interior layout to create a more contemporary and engaging environment for customers. Rounding out the quartet, café chain Muffin Break – a longstanding Metrocentre favourite – has launched its new store concept, offering visitors an upgraded and refreshed experience. Ben Cox, Director at Sovereign Centros (part of CBRE), asset manager of Metrocentre, commented: “This cluster of brand investments clearly demonstrates Metrocentre’s continued importance within the retail landscape. Our close partnerships with occupiers play a crucial role in creating an exceptional shopping experience, and we are committed to helping brands maximise their potential within the centre. These enhancements reflect strong confidence in the destination and a long-term commitment from retailers.” The latest upgrades follow the recent announcement that Urban Outfitters will open its first UK store of the year at Metrocentre, occupying 8,000 sq ft in the Upper Mall – further cementing the centre’s position as a premier retail hub in the North East.

CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range and Wilko, has announced ambitious plans to expand both retail brands, releasing updated property requirements as part of their latest growth push. The company is targeting a mix of city centre and out-of-town locations across the UK. Wilko is seeking retail units between 20,000 and 25,000 sq ft in size, ideally located in shopping centres or central urban areas. Meanwhile, The Range is focusing on larger, out-of-town sites ranging from 25,000 to 60,000 sq ft. CDS confirmed it is open to both freehold and leasehold opportunities, as well as development land and joint venture proposals. This expansion follows a period of significant momentum for the group. Over the past six months, The Range has launched 55 new stores and opened hundreds of in-store concessions, underlining its robust performance and market demand. Antony Darbyshire, Head of Property at CDS Superstores, said: “Demand for our retail brands has never been stronger. We’ve been gearing up for growth by investing heavily in our operational infrastructure, including warehousing and transport. At a time when many retailers are scaling back, we’re bucking the trend. We’re committed to bringing leading retail experiences to even more communities and we’re calling on landlords, developers and agents to partner with us to unlock our next phase of expansion.” The announcement signals a confident and proactive approach to retail growth, positioning The Range and Wilko as key players in the evolving high street and out-of-town retail landscape. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Marks & Spencer is set to launch its latest store concept at Merry Hill in Dudley, following a substantial investment into the retail destination. The retailer, which has maintained a presence at Merry Hill since 1990, will debut a new store layout along with an M&S Café—marking the first time the café has featured at the centre. In collaboration with the centre’s owners, M&S will consolidate its two existing units into a single, significantly larger space. The expanded store, located next to Primark, will span approximately 93,000 sq ft. It will offer an extensive fashion range across womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear, along with enhanced home and beauty departments and a revamped, larger Foodhall. The new store is expected to open in late 2025. Graeme Jones, Executive Director at Sovereign Centros (part of CBRE), speaking on behalf of Merry Hill, commented: “The last couple of years have been transformational for Merry Hill, and securing this investment from M&S allows us to build on that momentum. M&S has a long-standing presence here, and this consolidation into a flagship store creates a fantastic platform for their growth while enhancing the overall customer experience at the centre. It’s no coincidence that M&S has chosen Merry Hill for their latest store concept—joining the ranks of major regional destinations that feature cutting-edge retail environments. This partnership underscores M&S’s continued commitment to Merry Hill and its role as a key anchor tenant.” M&S is the latest major brand to invest in Merry Hill in recent years. The centre is now home to leisure anchors such as Hollywood Bowl and XF Gym, and hosts the UK flagship store for international retailer Harvey Norman. Retailers including H&M and Next have also undertaken significant upgrades to their stores. Merry Hill is represented by JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Landsec has officially broken ground on its redevelopment of Marlborough Square at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, marking a significant step forward in the ongoing enhancement of the popular outlet shopping destination. This latest phase follows recent improvements to The Avenues and forms part of Landsec’s broader strategy to elevate the centre’s physical environment, improve operational performance, and enhance the retail offering. The works are scheduled for completion in spring 2026. The redevelopment will include updated building façades and shopfronts, revitalised landscaping and public realm areas, expanded and modernised guest washrooms, increased public seating, and the addition of a new retail unit. Tim Treadwell, Head of Retail Portfolio at Landsec, commented:“We continue to see strong demand from leading brands seeking premium environments to expand their outlet presence. Gunwharf Quays exemplifies how Landsec is investing in its outlet portfolio to create spaces that attract more guests, deliver exceptional experiences, and support the long-term success of our brand partners.” Landsec is positioning Gunwharf Quays to better cater to its affluent domestic and international visitors, with a growing focus on aspirational retail and experience-led design. Recent lettings at the scheme include Russell & Bromley and Giggling Squid, reinforcing the centre’s appeal to high-end consumers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Central Co-op has announced that its climate targets have been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – a significant step in the Society’s journey to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. The validation confirms that Central Co-op’s science-based approach aligns with the most ambitious goal of the Paris Agreement: limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The SBTi validation covers near-term, long-term, and Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) targets, reinforcing Central Co-op’s position as a values-led business taking robust, science-backed climate action. Following an extensive review, the initiative confirmed that the Society’s decarbonisation plan is credible, transparent and ambitious – putting it among a growing number of organisations committed to real, accountable progress on climate. Central Co-op’s strategy includes reducing its operational emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 44 per cent by 2030 and by 90 per cent by 2035, from a 2022 baseline. For value chain emissions (Scope 3), including those generated from the sale of fossil fuel products, the Society is targeting a 55 per cent reduction per million pounds of value added by 2030, and a 97 per cent reduction by 2040. In addition, it will reduce emissions related to land use (FLAG) by 36 per cent by 2030 and 72 per cent by 2045, and eliminate deforestation from high-risk commodities by 31 December 2025. Remaining residual emissions, expected to account for no more than 5–10 per cent, will be addressed through high-quality carbon removals and beyond-value-chain mitigation. Paul Lockwood, Head of Sustainability and Net-Zero at Central Co-op, said: “This validation is a clear recognition of the Society’s long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. These science-based targets provide a credible pathway to net-zero and reinforce Central Co-op’s determination to act on climate in a way that reflects our co-operative values.” Central Co-op has already made significant progress. Since 2010, the Society has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80 per cent and has been awarded the Carbon Trust Triple Standard for achievements in carbon, water and waste reduction. It has rolled out solar panels across 123 sites, including solar carports at its Wildwood store and a mini solar farm at its Shelton Lock store – generating over 8.4 million kWh of green electricity and saving nearly £2 million in energy costs since 2022. Central Co-op is currently over 7 per cent self-sufficient in renewable energy and expects to exceed 25 per cent by 2026, supported by a new wind power purchase agreement. Beyond operational emissions, Central Co-op has worked with sustainability consultancy Simply Sustainable to create a best-in-class FLAG strategy and has voluntarily included complex Scope 3 categories such as customer travel and cooking emissions. These measures demonstrate a comprehensive approach to climate action and reflect a strong commitment to a fair transition for colleagues, suppliers and communities. From its investment in natural and woodland burial services via its funeral business, to tackling food waste and supporting local, sustainable suppliers through its shops, Central Co-op continues to take practical, long-term action rooted in its values as a co-operative. This milestone comes during a landmark year for the global co-operative movement – the UN International Year of Co-operatives – aligning closely with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on climate action, clean energy and sustainable land use. The validated targets are published on the SBTi website from the 19th of June, and Central Co-op will report annually on progress. A set of clear key performance indicators underpins the strategy and will be regularly reviewed to ensure they remain aligned with the Society’s 2040 net-zero ambition. For further details, head to the centralcoop.co.uk/. Details on becoming a Member can be found at Members.coop. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Braehead Shopping Centre has officially welcomed global lifestyle brand, MINISO, with the retailer opening its first store in Glasgow, and only its second in Scotland, at the centre.  The debut reinforces Braehead’s position as Scotland’s first choice among highly sought-after brands. The 1,750 sq ft store, located on the lower level near MAC Cosmetics, delivers the full MINISO experience, offering a wide selection of trending beauty, stationery, homeware, and toys, including licensed collections from Disney, Sanrio, Pokémon, Harry Potter, and Stitch. Huw Kmiot, Associate Director of Asset Management, at Pradera Lateral, asset managers of Braehead Shopping Centre, commented: “That MINISO has chosen to make its Glasgow debut in Braehead is testament to the significant appeal the centre has among leading global brands.  MINISO’s unique proposition, with its vibrant design and affordable lifestyle products, aligns perfectly with our strategy to deliver engaging, experience-rich retail at Braehead.” Saad Usman, Chief Operating Officer at MINISO UK, added: “This is a milestone opening for us as we continue our UK expansion. Braehead is a key regional destination with a loyal customer base and high visitor numbers, and so is the ideal location for such an important debut.  The store has had an incredible response already and are excited to become part of the community here.” MINISO’s opening at Braehead follows the signing of Flying Tiger Copenhagen at the destination, which is due to open its new store concept in the coming weeks.  Located adjacent to M&S’s regional flagship, the store will stock a variety of seasonal and practical goods, with new collections launched every six weeks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

CACI, the data specialists focused on people and place, have revealed that Meadowhall is the most dominant super regional shopping centre in the UK. The ranking has used a number of catchment spending metrics to measure those that are best at attracting and retaining spend. Taking first position, Meadowhall captures 18% of the total purse within its catchment, including online spend. The retail spend potential sits at nearly £1bn, given its inclusion of cities and towns like Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, and Doncaster, with Meadowhall comfortably better than any of the 13 UK super regional shopping centres at securing that available spend. With 16 visits per year on average and an average transaction value of £156, Meadowhall has evidenced, strong customer retention. Located in close proximity to the M1, Meadowhall captures half of the 42m vehicles passing the destination each year, with unrivalled accessibility across the region. The destination has continued demand from leading retailers, with Sephora due to open this summer, and JD recently announcing its plans to upsize, creating its second largest store nationally. Wider demand over the last 12 months includes the opening of Zara’s significantly upsized flagship, and the new 100,000 sq ft Frasers ‘next-generation’ department store. It is this continued commitment that drives Meadowhall’s dominance, with 26 retailers investing £30m in their stores in the last 12 months, creating reasons to visit the destination time and time again. Alex McCulloch, Director at CACI, said: “Dominating the catchment is something every destination wants, and this data points to Meadowhall being a super regional in the UK that gives its customers exactly what they want, and that drives loyalty. Loyalty isn’t easy to build and maintain, but with strong leasing that aligns to the consumer, and a focus on elements like safety that make regional malls appealing for so many, these levels of dominance can be held for decades to come.” Darren Pearce, Centre Director at Meadowhall, commented: “Meadowhall has earned this dominance through continued investment in the destination, a thorough understanding of the catchment, and a collaborative leasing approach with leading national and international brands. Above and beyond providing best-in-class brands for our customers, we are committed to ensuring Meadowhall is a hub for the region, whether that be visiting our popular Oasis Food Court, or one of the many community events held within the destination.” JD’s commitment to Meadowhall for its second largest store nationally follows an announcement from CACI revealing a significant spending increase in gyms and fitness focused brands, comparing December 2024 with the same month in 2023. Consumers demonstrated an increased appetite for health and wellness beyond January and February, with athleisure benefitting from strong year-on-year growth, both offline and online. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

JD Sports opened the doors to its biggest store in the world last Saturday (7 June), as it triples its footprint at Manchester’s Trafford Centre to create a 41,000 sq ft retail flagship. Boasting an impressive 92-metre frontage, the new store represents a major investment in JD’s home city and underscores the brand’s ambition to offer world-leading retail experiences. The expanded location will showcase exclusive JD lines and dedicated spaces for major brands including Nike, Adidas, PUMA, and On Running. The move not only reinforces JD’s close ties to Manchester, where it opened its very first store in Bury back in 1981, but also signals a bold step forward in its global retail strategy. Régis Schultz, CEO of JD Sports Fashion, commented: “The opening of our largest store in the world at Trafford Centre is a proud and landmark moment for JD. We see the world through the mindset of our customer, know what they want and set the trends for them. This opening showcases JD’s relentless drive to bring our global customers exceptional retail experiences and differentiated product, backed by our strong brand partnerships. “At the same time, it’s a celebration of our roots – Manchester has been close to the heart of JD’s journey since the beginning. As we continue to expand our footprint across the world, the Trafford Centre store represents the future of JD: bold, forward-thinking, and deeply connected to the communities we serve.” Marcus Briggs, Managing Director at Pradera Lateral, asset manager of Trafford Centre, added: “The anticipation and excitement has been building for this opening of JD’s Trafford Centre flagship store. The respective property, marketing and design teams have worked extremely hard to deliver a store of global significance for our Trafford Centre visitors and we are all delighted with the outcome. We really value our longstanding partnership with JD.” The new store is expected to draw significant footfall and attention, positioning Trafford Centre as a key destination for sports fashion fans and reinforcing JD’s reputation as a global leader in athletic and streetwear retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major new commercial development near the M1 motorway and East Midlands Airport has received planning approval, marking a significant step forward for economic growth in the region. The scheme, brought forward by Litton Properties and led through planning by DPP, will deliver 3,000sqm of commercial space across four units. Designed by The Harris Partnership, the new development is strategically located at a gateway point to the airport and adjacent to the M1, and will target small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking modern facilities to establish or expand their businesses. DPP steered the project from its early stages, preparing planning documents and leading on a crucial Economic Needs Assessment. This was necessary as the site lies within the countryside and was not allocated in the Local Plan. Through detailed research, DPP was able to demonstrate a pressing need for additional floorspace—particularly for smaller units—that the current Local Plan had failed to address. The planning team also coordinated a broader group of consultants to compile the full range of documentation required to support the application. DPP remained involved throughout the process, from submission to decision, and helped draft the planning conditions for the approved scheme. Construction is expected to begin later this year. Commenting on the approval, Will Marshall, Principal Planner at DPP, said: “We are delighted to have secured this consent which will become a prominent feature on the M1 motorway and as passengers fly into East Midlands Airport. Designed for SME businesses, the development will provide much-needed space for smaller companies looking to start or grow in the region. It has also been pleasing to overcome the planning hurdle of an unallocated site in the countryside which required extensive research into the Local Plan and what the demands of NW Leicestershire and the East Midlands will be in the future.” Once complete, the development is expected to serve as a high-visibility commercial hub, supporting regional economic expansion and providing vital infrastructure for SMEs in North West Leicestershire and the wider East Midlands. Image: The Harris Partnership Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals