Designer outlet group McArthurGlen has unveiled its latest project in the UK, the £160 mln (€185 mln) McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands.
According to the retail and leisure group, the new fashion destination is set to be the only stand-alone shopping centre to open in the UK this year.
The launch also marks the group’s first UK opening in over 20 years, as well as a return to the market where it introduced the concept of designer outlet retailing in Europe with Cheshire Oaks in 1995.
Susie McCabe, Co-CEO of McArthurGlen, said: 'This opening represents not only a huge milestone for McArthurGlen as we continue to grow our European footprint, but a defining moment for brick-and-mortar retail as the only stand-alone shopping centre to open in the UK this year.
'As we emerge into a new consumer landscape, we know customers still crave the extraordinary day-out shopping experiences and moments of magic that only physical retail can offer, and we remain extremely confident that West Midlands will deliver this.'
The centre is McArthurGlen’s seventh British designer outlet, joining its properties in Ashford, Bridgend, Cheshire Oaks, East Midlands, Swindon and York, and it is the group’s 26th across Europe and in Canada.
Located just 30-minutes from Birmingham, the outlet inclludes 80 brands in its first phase, including Coach, Kate Spade, Hugo Boss, Levi’s, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Calvin Klein, Ted Baker, Reiss, Kurt Geiger, Gant, Radley and Joules. Restaurants will include Wagamama, Starbucks and Five Guys.
The centre represents a joint venture between McArthurGlen, Aviva Investors and the Richardson family, and will span 285,000 ft2 in total over two phases.
Sustainable aspects include 400 newly planted trees, along with solar panels, on-site beehives, a wormery, electric car charging points and bicycle parking. It also provides direct access to the adjacent nature reserve and its network of footpaths, enabling local customers to visit on foot.
A £15 mln contribution to a highway improvements programme has enhanced the nearby road network, while a £1.5 mln package has supported local projects, including the ongoing maintenance of the Mill Green Nature Park.
Darren Freed, director at Aviva Investors, said: 'Designer Outlet West Midlands is an exceptional addition to Britain’s retail landscape and arrives at a time when the outlet sector continues to outperform the wider retail market.
'Investing in high quality designer outlets is in line with our core strategic objectives, so we’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with McArthurGlen to drive the performance of the centre and see it become one of the UK’s leading retail assets.'
