Manchester Arndale has announced that Sports Direct will be doubling the size of its space at the centre after the UK sportswear giant signed a new 15-year lease for a flagship store.
The new deal will see Sports Direct relocate from its current 29,000 sq ft unit on the lower ground floor to the former BHS space which comprises five floors of 58,500 sq ft. The larger store, set to open in late 2022, will see it incorporate its collection of brands including USC, Game, Evans Cycles, and Belong esports arena, all under one roof.
Sports Direct has catered for Manchester’s love of sport since it arrived at Manchester Arndale in 2009. Offering everything from athletics and cricket equipment to camping and hiking gear, at affordable prices, Sports Direct also stocks the latest football kits which helps appeal to the millions of fans who visit the city each year to see their heroes from either the red or blue side of Manchester.
As well as signing Sports Direct, Manchester Arndale also added Paperchase to its tenant line-up, with the international stationary store moving into a 1,000 sq ft unit. The store provides customers with a wide variety of innovative design-led cards, wrap, stationery, and gifts, with its seasonal collections being brought to life by the highest quality materials from around the world.
Sports Direct’s expansion and Paperchase’s arrival come on the back of a bumper end to the year for Manchester Arndale as it welcomed leading brands such as Debenhams.com, Tommy Hilfiger, Canada Goose, Kurt Geiger, Kick Game and Carvela, enhancing its reputation as a leading fashion destination in the North West.
Scott Linard, Portfolio Director at M&G Real Estate, said, “Despite the challenges faced by the retail industry over the past few years, Manchester Arndale has remained resilient throughout the pandemic, completing 25 new leases throughout 2020 and 2021.
We are therefore delighted that Sports Direct have not only chosen to commit its long-term future to the centre, but also double the size of its store. This demonstrates the confidence that major retailers have in Manchester Arndale as every year it attracts millions of visitors from across the North West and beyond thanks to its prime city centre location, excellent transport links, and its eclectic mix of leisure operators, F&B providers, and international brands.
Sports Direct is a key driver of footfall for the centre, as it appeals to Manchester’s love of sport and especially to the younger demographic in the city. This latest letting is set to be the start of an action-packed year for Manchester Arndale as we look forward to growing our diverse mix of tenants to ensure it remains the North West’s premier shopping destination.”
Manchester Arndale is one of the UK’s largest city centre shopping malls, welcoming over 42 million visitors in an average year. It boasts an impressive line-up of more than 200 shops and restaurants, including international, national, and local brands.
Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners are Manchester Arndale’s retained letting agents.
