New Look selects Metrocentre for largest-ever concept store
Located in the Gateshead shopping centre’s fashion hub in Red Mall, the 11,000 sq ft store will bring together its real-life and online offerings, following a £30m investment in digital capabilities.
The store will offer an expanded womenswear, accessories, and 9-15 teen range, as well as services including Click & Collect, self-service returns, order-in-store and digital browsing.
New Look has traded at Metrocentre for more than 20 years, and launches this concept at the mall following a successful rollout at Bluewater, Lakeside, and Milton Keynes.
Metrocentre is the largest UK shopping destination outside London, attracting around 16m visitors last year, and is managed by CBRE through its Sovereign Centros division.
Knight Frank has been appointed to oversee the sale of the 2m sq ft Gateshead shopping centre, with retail group Frasers widely rumoured to be the frontrunner to acquire the asset.
On top of that, 52 acres of brownfield land surrounding the centre are set to be developed into a 4,500-home neighbourhood.
The government is currently considering the MetroGreen Area Action Plan, which proposes 990 homes around the Metrocentre by 2030 as part of the wider scheme. Supported by Mott MacDonald, Gillespies, and LDA Design, it will be delivered by Metrocentre in partnership with Gateshead Council.
Mark Matthews, retail director at New Look, said: “This space showcases the very best of what our omni-hub format can offer, combining a wider fashion range with smarter services and digital features that make shopping simpler, more inspiring and more connected than ever before.”
Ben Cox, director at Sovereign Centros from CBRE, said: “We’re pleased to see New Look mark their 20-year presence at Metrocentre with this
“Womenswear is a strong category for Metrocentre and this launch builds brilliantly on the continuing momentum we’re creating in our fashion line-up, following Hollister’s recent opening and the signings of Bershka and Lefties, both due to open soon.
“Together, these investments reflect a fashion hub that’s constantly evolving to meet the expectations of our customers, offering a compelling mix of choice, experience and value. We’re excited to see New Look bring its largest-ever concept store to Red Mall, and we’re confident this next chapter will resonate strongly with our shoppers.”
