The North Face to open first store in Manchester city centre
Fashion brand, The North Face, is to open its first store in Manchester city centre, after signing a 10-year lease at Manchester Arndale.
The retailer specialises in producing outdoor clothing and footwear, as well as skiing, climbing and other outdoor pursuits equipment for the adventurous.
As it continues to grow its presence in the North West, building on existing outlets in Liverpool and Trafford, it has taken a 3,630 sq ft unit on New Cannon Street.
The North Face becomes the latest in a series of international fashion brands which have recently opened new stores at Manchester Arndale. These include Moss, Gilly Hicks, Hollister, Kurt Geiger, Carvela, and Tommy Jeans, as the centre continues to grow Manchester’s fashion offering.
The letting also continues an impressive run of new lettings at Manchester Arndale which has seen Nike, Manchester City, Blue Banana, Be More Geek, Oseyo, Black Sheep Coffee, and Sunglass Hut sign at the centre since the start of the year, taking retail occupancy to around 95%.
Steve Gray, head of European retail asset management at Global Mutual, said: “Our leasing activity since the pandemic has seen us welcome a truly diverse mix of international and local businesses, as well as a wide variety of retail, leisure, and F&B brands, to ensure there is something for everyone visiting Manchester Arndale.
“Through this approach, footfall has continued to strengthen and demand for well placed units has remained, so high that we are approaching 100% occupancy, allowing us to avoid the struggles faced by other retail centres, and cement our position as the North West’s leading retail destination.”
M&G Real Estate and Global Mutual act as joint asset managers of Manchester Arndale. Metis Real Estate and Time Retail Partners are Manchester Arndale’s retained letting agents, while S Kershaw and Sons and Ellis Brigham supported The North Face.
