The Cotswolds Designer Outlet, the only major new retail opening in the UK in 2025, has officially opened its doors to the public. The stunning destination provides a modern take on the traditional Cotswolds Village, and has been carefully designed and delivered to showcase everything that makes the local area so unique. The same attention to detail has been applied to the in-store experience and fit outs, as the Cotswolds Designer Outlet boasts the very latest store concepts, from layout and lighting through to product.
The 136,000sq ft sq ft scheme has been delivered by developer and investor Robert Hitchins Ltd and the specialist manager of retail and leisure destinations, Multi-Realm.
The outlet is located at the gateway to the Cotswolds, just off Junction 9 of the M5, right on Tewkesbury’s doorstep and equidistant from Bristol and Birmingham. It has a carefully curated lineup of 52 brands, equating to 132,700sq ft, including an impressive roster of national and international names:
- Leading fashion labels – Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Reiss, Boss, GUESS, Crew, Radley, French Connection, Ben Sherman, Levi’s, Dune and Hobbs
- Athleisure and outdoor brand names – The North Face, Under Armour, Sweaty Betty, PUMA, Adidas, Skechers, Timberland, Merrell and Regatta
- Lifestyle and homewares brands – Rituals, The Perfume Shop, Lindt, M&S, Tefal, Bedeck, Beauty Outlet, Perfume Shop and ProCook
- Casual dining and to-go-to eateries: Five Guys, Pret a Manger, 200 Degrees, Zizzi, Wagamama and Caffe Nero
With the scheme 98% let, unprecedented for a destination of this scale, the positive leasing activity represents a major vote of confidence in the UK outlet market and demonstrates the strong demand for space at what is a uniquely attractive destination. Along with the impressive roster of global brands, the asset is also home to regional operators including the local independent Kneed Bakery, a “Great Taste” award-winning patisserie and eatery, which has opened its first outlet location at the destination. While the much-loved The Patisserie Box, is opening a brand-new kiosk, offering its handcrafted desserts and luxurious cookies, all crafted by a team of pastry chefs in the Cotswolds.
Multi-Realm has been leading on the leasing activity at the outlet and will manage and operate the asset now it is open. With the successful leasing of Phase 1, plans for Phase 2 of the scheme, which will see the designer outlet extended by a further c.50,000 sq ft, are underway. The scheme will create over 600 jobs, over the course of phase 1 and 2. In line with the rigorous standards applied throughout the project, 99.9% of all the waste generated during the development of the scheme was recycled.
Simon Tothill, property & development director at Robert Hitchins Ltd, said: “Located at the gateway to the Cotswolds, this is an outstanding destination which has been meticulously designed and delivered to exacting standards. We have taken great care to ensure we deliver something that showcases the very best of the region, and provides a modern take on the traditional Cotswolds village. It has taken a lot of work over many years to get to this point, and the opening of this asset is a landmark milestone both for the local area and for the UK retail sector as a whole.”
Christine Grace, leasing director, Multi-Realm, said: “Cotswolds Designer Outlet is set to become one of the ‘must visit’ retail and leisure destinations in the UK, offering a hugely compelling mix of international, national, and local brands, as well as a fantastic range of food and drink options, all complemented by the carefully curated design. For an asset of this scale to be 98% let on the day of opening is unprecedented, and really demonstrates the strength of demand from brands for space at this site. This is a one of a kind asset, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve produced with our customers.”
To reflect its setting on the edge of the Cotswolds, the scheme has been carefully designed and inspired by classic architecture and materials from the local area and will incorporate a wildflower meadow and other indigenous planting and landscaping to bed the development into its new home. Occupying a prominent position at the entrance to the Cotswolds Designer Outlet site is a Dobbie’s Garden Centre that includes a Little Seedlings soft play area for children and a 10,000 sq ft restaurant, also developed and owned by Robert Hitchins Ltd.
Zizzi is set to bring delicious Italian dining to the new Cotswolds Designer Outlet, which both opened on 16th July.
With space for 110 guests inside, and an additional 58 seats outside, the new restaurant will open alongside over 50 retail stores, creating an exciting new destination for the people of Tewkesbury and beyond.
Zizzi Cotswolds has been decorated with striking, original murals by artist Olga Intu, who drew inspiration from both local history and Zizzi’s Italian heritage, to create the perfect space for visitors to relax and enjoy a meal.
The mural incorporates the Monks of Tewkesbury Abbey, who produced flour from the watermill on the Avon River almost one thousand years ago. The story is symbolised with a windmill, complete with pizza paddle sails. Venus, the God of Love and Beauty, also stars in the mural, enjoying a glass of Chianti, as the pegasus from the Tuscan flag flies by.
The restaurant walls are also adorned with Tuscan-style plates, paying homage to the Roman crockery and Medieval finds, which were discovered in the Cotswolds.
Zizzi Cotswolds will open just in time for guests to visit and enjoy new summer flavours, as well as classic favourites. The Standout Summer menu includes dishes such as the Diavoletta Bombe, a new and spicy take on Zizzi’s iconic garlic bombe, filled with a fiery Alla Vodka sauce, Roquito chillies and gooey mozzarella and King Prawn Vongole, a fresh Mafaldine pasta dish with king prawns and clams in a wild garlic, lemon, caper and parsley butter sauce.
Perfect for cooling down after some summer sunshine or an afternoon shopping, the Dragon Fruit & Wild Strawberry Sundae is a combination of dragon fruit sorbet, panna cotta and wild strawberry gelato, topped with pink meringue, while the Caramello Sundae combines salted caramel and vanilla gelato with honeycomb cheesecake, caramel sauce and a stroopwafel.
Zizzi Cotswolds’ general manager, Molly Massingham, said: “We’re so excited to meet the people of the Cotswolds and visitors from further afield enjoying a shopping day. We’ve spent a long time perfecting the look and feel of the restaurant, with the help of the amazing artist, Olga, so we hope our guests love it as much as we do.”
Zizzi Cotswolds is open from 11:30 AM – 22:00 PM, from Sunday to Thursday, and 11:30AM – 23:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.
