As the countdown commences to 2025’s only major new UK outlet retail destination opening, a string of new lettings can be announced at Cotswolds Designer Outlet with over 133,600 sq ft of space either exchanged or in solicitors’ hands, which will bring the scheme to 98% let on opening.
Global fashion label BOSS takes 4,126sq ft, leading a stellar line-up of fashion, athleisure, beauty, homewares and dining brands that include Marks & Spencer, Adidas and Levi’s, which have secured stores of 7,845sq ft, 8,474sft and 4,455sq ft respectively.
The unprecedented leasing activity represents a major vote of confidence in the UK outlet market and highlights the continued attractiveness of the sector amongst occupiers.
Leading 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. The location just off Junction 9 of the M5, right on Tewkesbury’s doorstep, equidistant from Bristol and Birmingham and within easy reach of affluent towns and surrounding Cotswolds villages, is especially appealing to brands seeking access to a significant regional and tourist catchment as part of their brand positioning for the UK market.
Cotswolds Designer Outlet is one part of a long-term holistic vision for the area to deliver a huge injection of investment for the region, centred on the curation of a new place and community with circa 260,000 sq ft of retail, F&B and leisure space being delivered through Cotswolds Designer Outlet and the Dobbies Garden Centre.
True to its setting at the gateway to the Cotswolds, the scheme has been carefully designed and inspired by classic Cotswolds architecture and materials and will also incorporate a wildflower meadow and other indigenous planting and landscaping to bed the development into its new home. Dog-friendly shopping and a specific focus on wellbeing will be central to its operation, with plans for ‘motorway-pause’ walking routes, chill out seating areas and space set aside for children’s play.
This combination of factors has led to the extraordinary pre-letting status of Phase 1 of the Cotswolds Designer Outlet, as the only major new retail development in the UK this year will be 98% let ahead of opening.
To date, 110,000sq ft of Phase 1 has been committed by 44 brands with more brands to be announced soon. 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
- 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 hugely popular local independent brand Knead Bakery – a “Great Taste” award-winning patisserie and eatery – 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 circa 50,000sq 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.
The economic boost from the collective scheme is vast, creating around hundreds of jobs in a must-visit destination to bolster the already well-established Cotswolds tourism economy, while providing for regional and local visitors.
Simon Tothill, property & development director at Robert Hitchins Ltd, 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.”
Multi-Realm has been leading on the leasing activity at the designer outlet and will manage and operate the asset once it is completed.
