Major brands sign up for space as multimillion-pound designer outlet nears completion

As the countdown starts to the opening of 2025’s only major new UK outlet retail destination, a string of new lettings can be announced at Cotswolds Designer Outlet.

Global fashion label BOSS leads the line-up of fashion, athleisure, beauty, homewares and dining brands that include Marks & Spencer, Adidas, Levi’s GUESS and Radley with more brands to be announced in the coming weeks.

Cotswolds Designer Outlet says it will be nearly full let when it opens this summer, which it said is “a major vote of confidence in the UK outlet market”.

Regional developer and investor Robert Hitchins and Multi-Realm, the specialist manager of retail and leisure destinations, have been responsible for successfully delivering the line-up of Phase 1.

In total, 110,000 sq ft of Phase 1 has been committed (exchanged) by 44 brands to date with more to be announced soon. The scheme is on target to have let 98% of GLA (gross leasable area) ahead of opening. In addition to BOSS, M&S, Adidas and Levi’s, the national and international brands currently fitting out and recruiting include:

Fashion brands – GUESS, Radley, French Connection, Ben Sherman, Dune and Crew with more to be announced
Athleisure and outdoor brands – Under Armour, Sweaty Betty, PUMA, Skechers, Timberland, Merrell, Regatta and Mountain Warehouse
Lifestyle and homewares brands – Rituals, Tefal, Bedeck, The Perfume Shop, Denby, and ProCook
A range of casual dining and to-go eateries complement the full-day out experience; Wagamamas, Five Guys, Zizzi, Pret a Manger, 200 Degrees and Caffe Nero, while local independent brand Knead Bakery will expand with its first outlet location

With the success of the Phase 1 letting established, Robert Hitchins and Multi-Realm are expecting to bring forward Phase 2 of Cotswolds Designer Outlet earlier than originally anticipated, which will extend the outlet provision by a further 50,000 sq ft.

Occupying a prominent position at the entrance to the Cotswolds Designer Outlet site is a Dobbie’s Garden Centre which opened in 2022 and includes a Little Seedlings soft play area for children and a 10,000 sq ft restaurant.

Meanwhile, Persimmon, Charles Church, Barratt Homes and Vistry are currently delivering more than 1,500 new homes and associated community spaces within the 250-acre development site put together by Robert Hitchins, having secured the necessary planning permissions and invested and procured significant infrastructure and connectivity works completed in advance.

Simon Tothill, property and development director at Robert Hitchins, said: “We have curated the line-up of Cotswolds Designer Outlet to offer the best of British and international fashion brands like BOSS, M&S, Adidas, Levi’s, Radley and GUESS as well as other popular homewares, leisure and lifestyle names, in a classic Cotswolds setting with an elevated customer-focused environment. To launch a new retail scheme that is nearly fully let is a real message of confidence from retail brands who can see the huge potential for a fresh, modern outlet retail destination that sets a new bar for the industry.

“Our ambitions were bold, but we had faith in the demand for a high-quality destination in this location, which is accessible to such an extensive catchment, and able to draw shoppers from across the region and tourists visiting the area from across the globe.

“With our own home in this location, we were resolute about creating a development that could be an aesthetically pleasing blend while delivering long term economic benefit for the region. We’ve been able to curate the overall experience in great detail to capture the best of the outlet model, creating a destination that is inclusive and accessible for shoppers with a high-quality guest services experience that will make every visit memorable.”

Christine Grace, leasing director at outlet specialist Multi-Realm, adds: “To deliver an almost fully let retail destination of this scale three months ahead of completion is testament to the appeal of the Cotswold Designer Outlet and to the vision and commitment of the team working on this project. Together with Robert Hitchins we have worked hard to create a perfect blend of leading names, bringing the very best global labels and brands to the scheme.”

“Today’s announcement demonstrates that there remains strong demand amongst occupiers for high quality sites in convenient locations and highlights the ongoing attractiveness of the outlet sector amongst brands and investors. The success of this scheme proves that there remains a bright future for physical retail, but only if you curate an attractive and compelling space and have the relationships and data-driven approach needed to sign up global brands.”

The brands confirmed in the Cotswolds Designer Outlet line-up, launching summer 2025 include:

BOSS

Adidas

Animal

Ben Sherman

Denby

French Connection

Radley

Rituals

Dune

Levi’s

Under Armour

Skopes

GUESS

Saltrock

The Beauty Outlet

M&S

Weird Fish

Sweaty Betty

Regatta

Puma

Skechers

Mountain Warehouse

ProCook

Cadburys

Lindt

Tefal

Craghoppers

Crew Clothing

Bedeck

Chapelle

Perfume Shop

Merrell

Pavers

Yankee Candle

Clinton Cards

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200 Degrees

Pret A Manger

Five Guys

Zizzi

Wagamama

Caffe Nero

KNEAD Bakery