Banana Republic opens first northern store at Trafford Centre

BANANA Republic is to open its first store in the north of England after signing a deal to take a unit within The Trafford Centre in Manchester.

The American company, which is owned by retailer Gap Inc., will open a 9,000 sq ft store with a mezzanine close to Selfridges, Pandora, Radley and Apple. It is due to open in early September.

Banana Republic currently has six stores in the UK – five of which are within the M25 area and one in Bath. It opened its first UK store on London’s Regent Street in 2008.

The Trafford Centre was bought by Capital Shoppoing Centres in a £1.6bn deal with Peel Holdings earlier this year. Other recent lettings include units to VANS and Lacoste.

Julian Wilkinson, property director for CSC Trafford, said: “Having Banana Republic choose the Trafford Centre for its first store in the North is fantastic news. The brand is key to our letting strategy of attracting quality retailers that offer a point of difference for our shoppers.”

Cushman & Wakefield acted for The Trafford Centre. Banana Republic represented itself.