Black Sheep Coffee chooses Manchester for first shop outside London

Property Alliance Group has secured two new leases at Piccadilly Place, boosting the retail offer in the piazza area of the mixed-use development in Manchester.

The lettings, which total 4,500 sq ft, will see the arrival of Black Sheep Coffee’s first shop outside of London and a Simply Fresh convenience store.

Rob Peill, head of offices at Alliance, said: “There has been lots of interest in the available retail units in the piazza, particularly since we announced our plans to further improve the amenity and landscaping. These include installing huge lamps early next year which will reflect the various eras and centuries of innovation in Manchester.

“These improvements will make the area even more attractive, offering a vibrant and creative space not only for those working at Piccadilly Place but anyone visiting this part of the city centre.

“The development’s prominent location next to the train station is also a major benefit for our new tenants. Both businesses will be ideally positioned at the front of the piazza enabling them to target the vast number of commuters and visitors coming in and out of Manchester every day.”

Gabriel Shohet from Black Sheep Coffee said: “So psyched to open our first shop in Manchester and become a tiny part of this awesome city.”

Bablu Ahmed, brand manager for Simply Fresh added: “We’re looking forward to serving people working at Piccadilly Place and those visiting the area. Our new store will offer a range of high-quality grocery items focused on local and best of British products as well as freshly prepared food-to-go from our food concession counters.”

The piazza is also home to Starbucks, Pita Pit and Anytime Fitness.

Hynes Illingworth is the retail agent for the scheme. CBRE and OBI Property are the office agents.