Sovereign Centros from CBRE has announced that Primark has unveiled its new, upsized space at Metrocentre.
The addition of 14,100sq ft on the ground floor has taken the store size to almost 80,000sq ft across two floors – more than 100,000sq ft when accounting for non-trading space – Primark’s 13th biggest location in the UK. The departments have been rearranged and reinvigorated with refreshed fixtures and fittings to create a seamless shopping experience for visitors. Women’s lingerie, hosiery and nightwear is now located alongside womenswear, accessories and shoes on the ground level, as well as Primark’s extensive homeware section. The store has introduced self-checkout tills, alongside standard manned tills, to enhance the customer journey through greater choice and speed of service.
The expansion underpins Primark’s position as a significant anchor within Metrocentre and highlights the centre’s continued approach to delivering not only best-in-class flagships, but also the most modern store fit-outs. It also demonstrates the commitment from leading retailers through investment in Metrocentre, following the recent upsizes of Zara, Footasylu, and EE.
Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, commented: “Primark is a firm favourite across the retail market as well as within Metrocentre, and this enhanced space really delivers for our visitors. Having been part of the destination for nearly 20 years, this investment highlights Primark’s commitment as an established brand that has had enduring success at Metrocentre. This year alone several of our international powerhouse brands have upsized here, a sign of the shared confidence we have with our tenants that they can grow and evolve with us, and ultimately perform.”
Conor Walsh, director of sales for the North East and South West at Primark, said: “The North East is an important region for Primark as we continue to invest in our UK store estate. The extension to the Metrocentre store precedes the new store opening in Teesside Park next week and forms part of our overall £100m investment this year. We’re so excited to open our doors today as a bigger and better Primark Gateshead Metrocentre store and welcome our customers in to shop more of what they love.”
This news follows a series of leasing-led announcements at Metrocentre in recent weeks. The destination has welcomed a new store for GO Outdoors – a 20,000sq ft space within the destination’s Blue Mall – as well as introducing the likes of ProCook and The Escapologist on Green and Yellow Mall respectively, and upsizing Footasylum on the Red Mall.
