Barker Proudlove helps Greater Manchester Councils bring retail giants to local schemes

Barker Proudlove has supported its Greater Manchester Council clients by transacting significant lettings with major high-street retailers across the region.

Three council landlords have secured new deals with B&M, Look Fantastic, JD Sports and Poundland, with the help of the retail and leisure property experts.

Firstly the team at Barker Proudlove facilitated a key relocation in Oldham for retail giant, B&M.

The deal has seen the value retailer move its Oldham store to a new approximately 30,000 sq. ft site, in the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.

The site opened in June and will see the bargain business scale up its operations in the town, bringing new jobs for its residents.

Barker Proudlove also aided online retail giant Look Fantastic in opening its first physical concept store in Altrincham.

The new lease will see the business take c. 5,400 sq. ft of prime retail space on George Street.

Look Fantastic, part of the wider Hut Group, will open its doors to the public in late 2024. It currently stocks more than 90 brands, including popular beauty brands YSL, Estée Lauder and Clinique.

Stockport town centre will also benefit from two major openings thanks to Barker Proudlove, with JD Sports and Poundland currently fitting out new stores at Merseyway Shopping Centre.

Both retailers have increased their presence in Stockport, with JD Sports leasing c. 14,000 sq. ft and Poundland taking 9,000 sq. ft of space, both over two levels. The exciting modern anchor stores are set to open later this year.

Jessica Swain of Barker Proudlove said: “Anchor retailers are still the bedrock of any town centre retailing provision. They are the main daytime footfall drivers and remain key to the success of town centres.”

Tom Prescott, director of Barker Proudlove added: “We want to continue working with businesses that will make a positive impact on towns for local people. While numerous commentators are keen to push local tenants as the solution for town centre retailing, the reality is successful towns need a blend of both local and national brands to ensure the ongoing vibrancy and success of their retail provision.

“The retail market is all about being adaptable, and businesses like Look Fantastic and JD Sports have done this tremendously well recently, continually evolving to suit ever-changing consumer demands. Similarly, value-driven brands such as B&M and Poundland are in consistent demand from shoppers, enabling them to generate weeklong footfall for occupiers trading around them.

“We’re confident that, in their new locations, these businesses will thrive and make a lasting impression on Greater Manchester communities.”

Barker Proudlove takes its high street proposition seriously, supporting councils, businesses, people and the community by investing their niche expertise and support to provide high street property solutions to benefit all involved.

Barker Proudlove is an expert retail and leisure property agency, operating throughout the UK, providing advice for owners, occupiers, investors and developers.