Next has opened one of its biggest stores in the UK as part of intu Merry Hill’s multi-million-pound transformation
With 55,000 sq ft of retail space, the new store is nearly double the size of Next’s previous intu Merry Hill store. Work by intu and Next began last year to convert a former Sainsbury’s site into a state-of-the-art store which incorporates a Lipsy concession, Costa Coffee and homewares department alongside one of Next’s largest collections of women’s, men’s and children’s wear.
The opening comes ahead of owner intu’s plans to spend more than £100m refurbishing the West Midlands shopping destination and building a major leisure extension.A number of other tenants including River Island, Topshop and Topman, and JD Sports have signed up for new or extra space since intu took full ownership of the centre in 2016 and announced its transformation plans. Primark will also open an extended new store at intu Merry Hill this year by expanding into the former BHS unit to create 70 per cent more space.
Meanwhile a planned 180,000 sq ft leisure extension will introduce more restaurants and a cinema to intu Merry Hill.
Nick Round, regional managing director at intu, said: “Many of the UK’s most popular retailers are opening bigger stores across our portfolio of prime retail destinations where they can showcase their full product range and reach a high proportion of their target customers. We work closely with brands like Next and Primark to build space where they can flourish as part of our creative asset management strategy”.
