National brands flock to shopping centre
Four new tenants have signed up to Wolverhampton’s Mander Centre, where 105,000 sq ft of space has been leased.
Matalan, Wilko and B&M, plus newcomer One Below, will all open this year in the 550,000 sq ft centre.
Jonathan Ratnage, investment manager at Benson Elliot, said: “These new lettings signify the confidence that retailers have in both Wolverhampton and the Mander Centre, as the city’s dominant retail destination.
“Whilst the high street is undoubtedly facing some challenges, Wolverhampton’s renaissance is a powerful story and it has created a compelling opportunity for all sorts of businesses to serve an expansive, loyal and eager community of consumers.
“The Mander Centre sits at the heart of the city’s transformation and it is evolving its offer to meet changing customer needs, whilst reinforcing its role as a venue where retail and service businesses alike can prosper. We plan to increase the number of local and independent traders over the coming months through further investment and marketing support. Key to this will be a programme of events and engagement with our customer base and the wider community.”
One Below, the UK’s newest value retailer, opened an 8,000 sq ft store at the centre earlier this month. The brand is the brainchild of Poundworld founder Chris Edwards, who is targeting the opening of 100 stores in the UK this year.
Matalan, the fashion and homeware retailer, is set to open a 23,000 sq ft store in early May, the company’s first in Wolverhampton’s city centre.
B&M, one of the leading variety retailers in the UK, will occupy 52,000 sq ft on the upper mall, taking space in a large unit formerly occupied by BHS. The store is set to open in October/November.
Wilko will open a 24,000 sq ft unit on the lower mall around the same time.
Recent store openings at the centre include T.H. Baker, the regional jeweller and New Look, which has relocated into an 18,000 sq ft store next to H&M.
Further good news came recently when HMV’s new owners confirmed their commitment to the Mander Centre.
In addition to Matalan, Wilko, B&M and One Below, Benson Elliot said it is also in discussions with a number of prominent retailers about further new openings in the 103-unit shopping centre.
Cushman & Wakefield, Jackson Criss and BWD are the leasing agents at the Mander Centre on behalf of Benson Elliot.
