Merry Hill is celebrating record footfall performance across the centre, reporting a 5.6% year-on-year increase for the first half of 2025. The centre also experienced a 3.7% uplift in June footfall compared to the same month last year, as it continues a 12-month rolling increase of 3.3%.
This growth across the destination significantly outperforms the super regional benchmark, which up until the end of May is tracking at +2.6%, as measured by Savills. The centre is now on track to exceed 15.5 million visitors in 2025, following a year of major investment and proactive asset management.
The positive trajectory directly results from Merry Hill’s active asset management strategy, which has secured several high-profile openings, including two new leisure attractions – Hollywood Bowl and XF Gym – along with the English debut of international retailer Harvey Norman. The centre has also benefitted from further investment from anchor tenants including H&M, and M&S for its newest store concept.
Alistair Winning, asset manager at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, on behalf of Merry Hill, commented: “From a leasing and asset management perspective, the first half of this year has been a reflection of the transformation Merry Hill has undergone over the last few years. We’re seeing tremendous confidence from both new and existing tenants, from international arrivals like Harvey Norman to expanded commitments from powerhouse anchors like M&S, alongside exciting leisure additions in XF Gym and Hollywood Bowl. This wave of investment, driven by our proactive asset management strategy, is creating a truly compelling destination that keeps visitors coming back time and time again, solidifying our position as one of the UK’s top super regional destinations.”
The centre’s innovative activations have made a significant contribution to this record performance. The country’s largest Easter Egg event delivered an 18% footfall uplift, and The Field – a 12,000sq ft indoor turf installation – brought about a 12% increase compared to 2019 levels, across its four days in May.
JLL, Time Retail Partners, and Font Real Estate represent Merry Hill.
