Leading fashion retailer agrees deal on major new city centre store

FASHION retailer H&M has signed up to a large new store in Wolverhampton, bringing a host of new jobs to the city.

The company has agreed a deal for a 31,000 sq ft store at the city’s revamped Mander Centre – one of the largest units in the shopping centre.

The agreement marks the global retailer’s debut in Wolverhampton and the store, which is set to open on November 17, will be the first in the West Midlands to stock the H&M Home collection as well as its full range of ladies, men and kids clothing.   

The collection is currently only stocked in eight stores in the UK and on the fashion retailer’s website.

Benson Elliot, owner of the 500,000 sq ft shopping centre, is currently rolling out a £35m refurbishment which, when complete in autumn 2017, will be anchored by a 90,000 sq ft full-line Debenhams department store.  
 
Peter Cornforth, Director of Retail at Benson Elliot said: “H&M is an inspiring addition to the tenant mix at the Mander Centre and integral to our vision for a well-balanced, high-quality and contemporary customer offer for Wolverhampton’s extensive catchment.  

“This new letting demonstrates the opportunity Mander represents for high-quality brands to join a great and evolving city centre line-up.  The H&M Home collection brings a new and exciting interiors concept to the Centre’s existing, vibrant fashion and lifestyle mix, and will be warmly embraced by the Centre’s 17 million-plus annual visitors.”
 
H&M’s Country Manager UK & IE, Carlos Duarte, said: “The re-development of the Mander Centre created the perfect opportunity for the H&M brand to expand into Wolverhampton. The inclusion of our Homeware range in the offering continues to ensure our stores remain exciting and inspiring fashion destinations for our customers.”
 
Jackson Criss and Cushman & Wakefield acted for Benson Elliot.