Member Article

Interiors retailer brings new jobs to Metrocentre following swift lease deal

Furnishings retailer Baytree Interiors is creating jobs at intu Metrocentre, following the completion of a a deal agreed in under a week to secure a new pop-up retail unit.

Located in the Metrocentre’s blue mall, the new 1,677sq ft unit is Baytree’s tenth outlet across the north of England. Tweleve part time jobs have been created since the store opened on 24 October, with more expected to follow for the Christmas run in.

The company was helped by Leeds law firm Clarion and letting agents Bowcliffe Chartered Surveyors which pulled out all the stops to complete a swift deal for an initial three month lease on the unit.

Part of Bedale-based family business Hill Interiors, Baytree Interiors stocks a wide selection of furniture, gifts, interiors accessories and replica militaria.

Nik Hill, managing director of Baytree Interiors, said: “Having built a business based on our ability to source unusual products direct from suppliers in the Far East at competitive prices, we have successfully taken the concept a stage further by developing our own retail offering. This is the third new retail outlet we have opened this year and we plan to establish another five shops next year.

“We have seen 26% growth year on year in our retail business and are constantly on the look out for new sites in order to realise our ambitious expansion plans. As one of the most established and popular shopping destinations in the UK, the Metrocentre was, of course, a natural target for us and thanks to quick action by Clarion and Bowcliffe, we have been able to secure this initial lease. It’s vital to have a strong team of advisers on hand in order to take advantage of opportunities to quickly secure new retail sites.”

Baytree Interiors also has outlets in Knaresborough, Harrogate, Northallerton, York, Halifax, Middlesbrough and Ilkley as well as two shops in Whitby.

Jeff Robertson of Bowcliffe Chartered Surveyors, also a client of Clarion’s, said: “Having worked with Baytree for several years and advised them on many of their new stores, I knew what they needed. We wanted to get a new shop open before Christmas and seized upon the opportunity to acquire this prestigious store in the Metrocentre. It shows what can be achieved with a good team and we look forward to more openings in the New Year.”

Clarion has worked with Hills Interiors for the last three years, primarily providing legal advice around the acquisition of new retail units and property transactions as well as debt recovery services.

Martin Grange, partner and head of Clarion’s property team, said: “Baytree Interiors is going from strength to strength.

The company has had the foresight to invest in building a brand and taking its products direct to the consumer - this strategy is proving extremely popular as it quickly moves towards its ambition of building a 15-strong retail chain by the end of next year.“