Major footwear chain signs lease at town’s regeneration development

Deichmann – Europe’s largest footwear retailer – has taken a store in The Glass Works, the ongoing regeneration of Barnsley town centre.

The high street footwear chain has signed a 10-year lease and will take a 5,000 sq ft double unit on Cheapside. The store will be its first in Barnsley and is set to open before Christmas this year.

The addition of Deichmann – the second confirmed retailer signed during the Coronavirus pandemic alongside TK Maxx – means the scheme is around 60% let in terms of retail space.

Andy Underwood, director at Deichmann, said: “We’re incredibly happy to open a brand-new store in The Glass Works and add Barnsley to our expanding store portfolio.

“Opening a new store and committing such an investment in the current climate demonstrates Deichmann is dedicated to revitalising the British high street despite the impact the pandemic has had on our business and the whole country.”

Councillor Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Place, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Deichmann to The Glass Works – the latest new name for Barnsley town centre.

“Deichmann will be a great new addition to our town centre’s retail mix. It’s the right offer – fantastic quality, and affordable.

“The addition of Deichmann – our second signing in the coronavirus pandemic – further illustrates the strength of the scheme following TK Maxx’s commitment to the project last month.

“The signing illustrates how Barnsley is leading the way in terms of rethinking its high street.

“We’ve looked at the importance of public engagement and refurbished our public realm to help create a family-friendly, bustling atmosphere.

“We believe we’ve found the right balance with leaning towards a predominantly leisure-based scheme while including retailers that are right for our town centre, helping Barnsley become a vibrant and future-proof high street.

“There’s no doubting that the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on the high street – not just in Barnsley, but in the whole country. That said, we’re committed now more than ever to delivering the scheme next year.”

Alex Hyams, leasing manager for Queensberry, added: “We’re delighted to bring Deichmann to The Glass Works and more importantly to Barnsley, it’s a terrific new offer for the town.

“It’s no small feat to have secured two new occupiers for The Glass Works during what has been and continues to be a difficult time for the high street on a national scale.

“We’re looking forward to bringing in more new occupiers as we approach opening next year and we’ll be working closely with Barnsley Council to achieve this.”

Deichmann will join NEXT, Sports Direct (with fashion arm USC), TK Maxx and the already open JD Sports in The Glass Works.

Confirmed food operators include Nando’s, Muffin Break and local independent restaurant MEET – all of which will join the already open Falco Lounge and Coffee Boy, along with the independent food vendors inside Market Kitchen.

 Cineworld and Superbowl UK are the main leisure anchors of the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2021.